Arsenal completed the signings of Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko from Manchester City last summer for a combined transfer fee of £75million
Arsenal legend William Gallas believes Oleksandr Zinchenko and Gabriel Jesus have been important signings in turning Mikel Arteta's side into Premier League title challengers. The Gunners sit eight points clear at the top of the table heading into the final 10 games of the season.
Gallas believes the former City duo will continue to help keep their team-mates focused in the final stretch of the season ahead of some crucial fixtures against Guardiola's side, Liverpool and Chelsea. Speaking to Genting Casino, the ex-Arsenal defender said: "These are two players that are very important for the squad because they know exactly what can happen if the squad is not focused on every game or if the squad gets too confident after a victory.
"I’m sure those players will be communicating with the others and explaining to them what is needed (to become a champion). It is not only Jesus and Zinchenko, you have Arteta, who won the Premier League as Pep’s assistant coach.
"He knows very well what to do and he will be close to his players and will explain to them ‘OK, there are ten games to go. We’re close to the finish line, keep focussed, stay fresh and after the international break, I don’t want to hear anyone say they are tired.’
"The next ten games will be very, very important and they still have to play against big teams. Arsenal need to win against those teams.
"They are eight points clear - City have a game in hand - ten games is nothing, but it will be very difficult. It can be very long (when you’re leading from the front).
"It will feel like a very long time. Arsenal need to take it game by game."
Ahead of England's Euro 2024 qualifier clash against Ukraine, Saka heaped praise on both Zinchenko and Jesus for their impact in Arteta's side. The 21-year-old said: "Zinchenko has brought quality - but he’s brought so much more.
"You can see how he plays and how he controls the game. He’s an outstanding player.
"He has great leadership qualities, so he’s really helping us on all fronts. They (Zinchenko and Gabriel Jesus) have brought that winning mentality to us as players who have been there and won the league.
"In difficult moments they know how it feels, they can encourage us because we have a lot of young players. They really help us with the mental side of things."
"Obviously the likes of Zinchenko and Gabby Jesus, I felt like it changed the whole dynamic. They’ve been there, they know what it’s like to win stuff.
"I’d definitely say a lot of it is down to them two because their mentality was indescribable. I couldn’t believe it to be fair [Man City letting them leave to join Arsenal].
"Even in training, when I came back from training, they were so good. Obviously, Gabby got injured, but Zinchenko’s one of the best technical players I’ve ever seen.”