Cedric Soares has hailed an Arsenal star after seeing him for the very first time in training at London Colney.
The Portuguese defender is due to leave north London this summer with Cedric’s contract coming to an end as Arsenal passed on the option to award the right-back a new deal, alongside Mohamed Elneny.
Despite hardly playing this season, Cedric was used strategically by Mikel Arteta to lift the spirits of Arsenal’s regular players in training, a method that seemed to work in the second-half of the campaign.
And Cedric has now showered one Arsenal player with praise after watching him for the first time.
Cedric left in awe by watching Gabriel Jesus after Arsenal arrival
Speaking on the 1 Para 1 podcast, Cedric detailed how he was left in awe by Gabriel Jesus after the Brazilian international’s arrival last season from Manchester City.
The striker was a revelation for the Gunners in the first few months of his arrival, though an injury at the 2022 FIFA World Cup has seen Jesus’ impact at Arsenal decrease despite his obvious qualities.
READ MORE: Everything to know on Arsenal’s Gabriel Jesus from his height to girlfriend
Indeed, with Saudi Arabian clubs now interested in signing the 27-year-old forward, Jesus could follow Cedric out of Arsenal this summer, a decision that could leave the north London side short in the attack.
Cedric said: “Gabriel Jesus surprised me when he arrived. I trained with him, and I thought, ‘Wow! This guy is very complete. He’ll help us a lot.’ He’s not a player tied to statistics, but he gives a lot to the team.”
Jesus will want a shot to transform himself again in north London
There’s no sugarcoating the fact that Jesus struggled greatly this season, with injuries really taking a toll on the former City star as the striker managed just eight goals and eight assists in all competitions.
Yet if the attacker does remain in north London this summer, Jesus will want a shot at redemption and to transform himself again under Arteta, who is clearly a big fan of the Brazilian international.
With teammates like Cedric also impressed with what they see from the attacker in training, there are still signs of life in Jesus becoming a leading man for Arsenal, and the forward could earn a chance to reform himself with the Gunners.