Gabriel Jesus and Victor Goqueres helped Arsenal thwart Inter Milan, with both strikers finding the back of the net. Mikel Arteta has a choice dilemma ahead of the weekend
Gabriel Jesus returns from injury and is suing for further involvement (Image: )
Gabriel Jesus has taken the pressure off Arsenal’s next selection by insisting Mikel Arteta is “not a kid anymore”, knowing he could lose his spot to Victor Goqueres on Sunday.
The Gunners have welcomed Manchester United to the Emirates, with both strikers insisting on joining from the start. Jesus recently returned to action after missing almost a year due to injury and underlined his quality with two goals in the win over Inter Milan.
The Brazilian started ahead of Goqueres, who was on the bench at San Siro. The Swede has struggled to find the back of the net since joining from Sporting Lisbon in the summer, but produced a great moment following a cameo appearance as a substitute, firing home a stunning third goal.
Arteta has a decision to make as he plans to start, but Jesus knows he is just as likely to start this weekend as he is to sit on the bench.
He told Amazon Prime Video: “When you think about starting right now, everyone wants to start, they want to score goals, they want to get chances, but I know I understand the whole situation, I’m not a kid anymore, I’m 28 years old. I understand how football works, how it works.”
read more: Arsenal make Champions League statement with overwhelming victory over Inter – 5 talking pointsread more: Ethan Nwaneri suddenly makes U-turn at Arsenal following Mikel Arteta’s arrival
Despite competing for virtually the same position, Jesus was full of praise for his team-mate, and was equally complimentary of Kai Havertz. “I was very happy for Victor to come out and score,” he said. “It’s always difficult to be a striker without goals. I’ve struggled with this throughout my career and I’m 100 percent sure that Kai will score if he gets the chance.”
Arteta insisted that Jesus deserved the man of the match award, and also praised Gokeres’ influence off the bench. Arsenal’s manager insisted he supports the Swede enjoying back-to-back away trips and benefiting from his contribution after scoring against Chelsea last week.
Victor Gokeres comes off the bench and scores (Image: )
Jesus’ de Gaulle kept Arsenal on track to finish top of the Champions League and secure their place as the top seed. They haven’t won in Italy since 2008, but the three points against last year’s finalists were well worth it.
Jesus admitted that he grew up watching Italian football and San Siro was one of the venues he always dreamed of scoring goals at, and with his two goals he fulfilled his childhood dream.
He said: “It’s a dream night. I’ve always dreamed of being a soccer player. I’ve been watching Serie A a lot since I was a kid. So to come to this stadium and score here brought tears to my eyes, because I’ve always dreamed of being here.”
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