Two goals and two assists made for a very decent day at the office for Gabriel Jesus but the player admits he should have had a hat-trick after failing to convert several other opportunities during Arsenal’s 4-2 win over Leicester.
The Brazil international had a total of seven efforts on goal during his 84 minutes on the pitch and lead the line with such energy that manager Mikel Arteta remarked in his post-game press conference, “I wouldn’t like to play against him.”
After putting the Gunners ahead with a delightful chip, Jesus doubled the lead with his head 12 minutes later and came very close to a third before the break when he brilliantly controlled a long ball by Aaron Ramsdale before a combination of Wilfried Ndidi and goalkeeper Danny Ward denied him.
The chance was still on his mind after the game when Sky Sports asked if he should have taken the match ball home.
“For sure, I work all day, every day to score goals and to help,” he said.
“The ball from Aaron [in the first half], I did well [to control] but when I went to shoot the defender come back quick. After, I had another chance which I could have scored.
“I’m a little bit sad because of this but I’m so happy, you know, not just because of the goals but because of the way the team are playing. In the difficult moments, we conceded two goals, but we keep playing well and try always to score.”
While Jesus wasn’t starved of minutes at Manchester City – he averaged an hour on the pitch across his 41 appearances last season – he wasn’t charged with being the club’s main number 9.
It’s clear already at Arsenal that, alongside Eddie Nketiah, he will have far more responsibility. It’s a challenge he’s relishing.
“A lot, a lot,” he replied when asked if he’s enjoying himself at the Emirates.
“I was not unhappy at City, I was just wanting to play, I understand the club, I understand the manager, but sometimes players want to play and I’m the same.
“Here I come, train every day, me and Eddie [Nketiah] finishing, he has a lot of quality, a lot of confidence to play as well, I think Arsenal have two good strikers.”
Great attitude and what a great addition to the squad. It seems strikers we’ve had for so long have done one or two things pretty well, but lacked in other other areas. Can’t think of any area that he doesn’t excel in (and it’s not just from watching him for two matches with Arsenal, but his whole career domestically and internationally).
You’re so spot on! We’ve forgotten all the things a striker should do…we had static giroud and auba who’s just an assassin around the box… Gabriel Jesus has the potential to be as influential as any other striker bar the king-Thierry….. great work lads….the soccer was surreal at times….don’t wake me if I’m dreaming!
His attitude is perfect, I bet even more than his amazing talent it’s why MA wanted him. Humble, hard working, team oriented. What an absolute gem of a player.
Two things he’s really crap at:
Other than that he’s, well, a miracle worker.
He absolutely reminds me of Alexis. Buzzing bundle of dribbling energy. Especially the first goal with no backlift.
Some of his movement, positioning and dribbling today was of the absolute highest quality. A genuine privilege to get to see that from the stands.
Couldn’t agree more… I think his work rate enables Martinelli and others.. I fear for opponents when Saka inches back into his zone as well.
And Jesus will help and enable Saka to be much more effective and less targeted, and brutalized, shifting the significant burdens he carried so much of last season, and I hope, really liberating him to flourish and foil, as we are already seeing for Gabby, and should see for ESR, Odie, and the not so tall, Vieira from Portugal!
This. No longer any point in the rotational fouling, if he’s not the only attacking threat.
We have a pretty decent front three.
Top top guy all round.
Not getting Rambo his assist was the only low from this game
That was some pass.
Rambo woulda gone full explosive celebration for that goal and boosted his confidence even higher than it is
I just love this guy!
I wouldn’t swap him for anyone
What a signing !!!! 💥
Order the statue forehand.
Can’t we just make a cheeky offer for the one in Rio?
Marquinhos scored another two goals for the Under 21’s last night. Brazilian goals everywhere for Arsenal this weekend.
Samba style! Only thing missing is sone capoeira celebrations. Would love to see a special Arsenal Brazil kit in yellow and blue
“I think Arsenal have two good strikers.” I like that.😊
Scores two, assists two, generally has a superb game, and singles out Eddie for praise in his post match interview. What a guy 🥰
He recognizes that they’re very similar and in addition he’s coming from a place where he was just a little better than in the Eddie position , Empathy
Jesus is superb. And seems there is no ceiling for Gabi Martinelli. What a player.
Absolutely.
After GM’s first few games for Arsenal 3 years ago and reading his background story I started telling people this kid is going to be a superstar. Of course I’m not the only one, but it’s so good to see him blossoming!
I have said it a couple of times, can’t believe how one can see this potential in a 17-years old kid playing for a tier 2 team in Brazil. What a discovery!
Tier 4!! Mind. What a player!!
To be fair, this kid had already trialed at Barcelona and Manchester and other giant clubs when he was 15-16. He played Futsal and Corinthians among others wanted him badly. t’s not like nobody knew about him. But hey, kudos for bringing him in, it’s like an FM signing.
It’s got to be on Edu, and the fact that little Rio has moved to Islington… where else would he go?!
Oh, didn’t know this. So, yeah, kudos for whoever brought him home.
Jesus is love. Jesus is life. Jesus is miraculous.
Best of all though…
JESUS IS OURS!!
I think he’s Samuel Eto’o-esque in terms of sharp movements in the box and finishing off half-chances. He’s going to fashion a load of goals on his own
really interesting comparison
What a buy 👍
I was so relieved when we finally signed him – I just knew he’d be mustard.
20+ should be well within his reach this season.
I still can’t beleive Pep just let him go… yes, they’ve got Alf The Viking now but when Aguero retired, surely Jesus was the logical in-house step-up?
But he didn’t. And we did.
Get in there my son!
That turn in the box yesterday was superb. What a goal that would have been if he hadn’t been denied by a last nanosecond boot on the ball by a Leicester defender. We have a real quality player on our hands here.
“Here I come, train every day, me and Eddie [Nketiah] finishing, he has a lot of quality, a lot of confidence to play as well, I think Arsenal have two good strikers.”
This guy. Much respect.
For the first time in my life I can confidently say I believe in Jesus lol
We’ve Jesus, Mohamed, Gabriel & Satan (Stan Kroenke); no one can stop us.