Gabriel Jesus mentioned he had “tears in my eyes” after scoring twice to assist and seal their place within the Champions League final 16.
The 28-year-old was making solely his third begin since returning in December from 11 months out with an anterior cruciate ligament harm.
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Jesus has been at Arsenal for 4 seasons however appears like he has performed solely “one and a half or two” having endured a sequence of setbacks.
The Brazil ahead has proven flashes of his high quality following his comeback, scoring a wonderful fourth objective in Arsenal’s 4-1 thrashing of Aston Villa final month however, towards Inter, he appeared again to his greatest.
“It is a dream night time,” Jesus instructed Amazon Prime after the Gunners maintained their 100% document on this season’s Champions League with a club-record seventh successive win within the competitors.
“I all the time dreamed of being a footballer. I watched after I was a child. I watched a whole lot of Serie A, so to be right here on this stadium and rating right here is tears in my eyes as a result of I all the time dreamed of being right here.
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“There’s all the time a cause that issues occur, whether or not it is good issues or troublesome issues. I realized that in my 11 months out of the sector.
“It’s all the time troublesome to play towards Inter Milan. We got here right here final season and misplaced. Tonight we performed higher than them, we managed them however they’re a high staff and so they assault.
“We scored on the finish and bought the three factors. We have now to maintain going as a result of we’ve one other one on the weekend.”
His two targets ended a run of 10 Champions League video games with out scoring – the final one coming in a 6-0 win over Lens on 29 November, 2023.
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Gunners followers have been calling for Jesus to begin since he got here again to full health, with summer season signing Viktor Gyokeres struggling for kind and targets.
The Swede bought on the scoresheet in Milan with an fantastic curling effort, however his strike for Arsenal’s late third was simply his second from open play in his previous 13 video games.
Gyokeres, although, does have two in his final three video games after netting within the Carabao Cup semi-final first-leg win at Chelsea, whereas Kai Havertz provides one other ahead possibility following his return from a knee harm.
“Everybody needs to begin,” added Jesus. “I’m a really respectful man. I’m not a child anymore, I’m 28, so I perceive soccer.
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“I’m very completely happy Vik got here on and scored a objective. I’m so completely happy I scored and Vik scored. I’m assured Kai will rating when he will get the possibility.”
‘We have been lacking Gabi lots’ – Arteta
With Gyokeres and Jesus each on course in Milan, it marked the primary time this season two centre-forwards had scored in the identical sport for the Gunners.
“We have now been lacking Gabi lots,” mentioned supervisor Mikel Arteta. “I believe it’ll elevate his confidence ranges and the staff’s as a result of we now have totally different profiles in that place, like we’ve with the wingers and in different positions.
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“And the actual fact the gamers are taking part in at that stage. Viktor [Gyokeres] is available in and makes an awesome impression within the sport – and it solely makes us higher.”
Jesus’ two targets took the previous Manchester Metropolis frontman’s tally to 26 within the Champions League on his 53rd look, with the one Brazilians to achieve 25 in fewer video games within the competitors being Neymar (44) and Jardel (45).
“In the long run it isn’t even about competitors between the gamers [for places]. The phrases Jesus mentioned, even when the subsequent participant comes, he’ll nonetheless rating his objective to assist the staff,” four-time Champions League winner Clarence Seedorf instructed Amazon Prime.
“These are phrases I like to listen to as a result of they’re coming into a unique stage now as a result of, sure they’re competing, however whoever performs must carry out.
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“If I am not taking part in you carry out as a result of subsequent sport shall be simpler for me when the staff is profitable. I like that.”
Wayne Rooney, whose former membership Manchester United go to Premier League leaders Arsenal subsequent on Sunday, added: “If I used to be Gabriel Jesus now I would be saying, ‘I need to begin the sport on Sunday’.
“He is come right here, scored two targets and performed very well so if I used to be him, I would be placing it within the supervisor’s thoughts that I actually need to play.”