Brazil legend Ronaldinho names Gabriel Jesus as one of the best players in the Premier League

Football icon Ronaldinho has heaped praise on Arsenal new boy Gabriel Jesus by naming him as one of the best players in the Premier League. 

Jesus swapped Manchester City for Arsenal in the summer in search for regular game time, and his decision to move to the Emirates stadium is proving to be a good choice as he is enjoying life as a Gunner after a more than promising start to the season. 

The 25-year-old produced a stellar display against Crystal Palace and then backed it up with an even better performance against Leicester as he scored twice and assisted twice in the 4-2 win. 

Jesus has previously earned plaudits from Brazilian legend Ronaldinho, who said in 2017 that the striker has the ability to surpass Lionel Messi as the world’s greatest player. 

Now, in a recent interview with The Mirror, Ronaldinho has reiterated his claims.

He said: “When Gabriel joined Manchester City I said he would go on to be one of the best players in the world. When he was given a chance, he showed what he was capable of - but at Manchester City he was never shown the love a player of his quality deserves.” 

The former Barcelona and AC Milan player then hailed Jesus as one of the best players in Europe. 

Ronaldinho continued: “At Arsenal he has been given the chance to be the focal point, he has been shown the love by the coach and the fans, and already he is repaying that. 

“This season I expect big things from him - he will repay the love shown in him by showing he is not just one of the best players in the Premier League but also in Europe.” 

After his stunning performance last week against Leicester, Jesus spoke about the new role that he has at Arsenal under Mikel Arteta. 

He told ESPN Brazil: “I started playing much more on the wing at [Manchester] City and for Brazil. For a while I thought that. But I've changed my mentality, I believe much more in myself now. I'm smiling again playing football.

“I’m very blessed as I can play across all front three but I am a No.9. I am there to finish our chances. Not only that but to help the team as a whole. It's normal to pick up and think that you can't play with 9, that I'm a winger.

“I had this in my head for a long time. Now I have a different mind and I believe in myself much more. I went back to being the usual Gabriel, thinking that I'm 9, that I'm there to finish, to help, of course not just to score goals. I went back to being what I was before, a little like being a player on the floodplain. It is no longer that robot that used to be there.”

Jesus will be looking to continue his fine form when Arsenal travel to the Vitality stadium to face newly promoted Bournemouth on Saturday evening.