Gabriel Jesus has ‘changed our world’, says Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta after Sevilla win

LONDON – Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta heaped praise on Gabriel Jesus after the forward led the north London side to a 2-1 Champions League victory over Sevilla on Tuesday.

The 26-year-old Brazil international scored a goal and provided an assist to compatriot Gabriel Martinelli, taking Arsenal to the top of Group B at the midway point of the group stage. Lens drew 1-1 against PSV Eindhoven in the other tie on Tuesday.

Jesus, who has now netted 23 times in 41 appearances in Europe’s elite club competition, joined Arsenal in July 2022 after five seasons at fellow Premier League side Manchester City.

When asked if Jesus’ goal-scoring record in the Champions League was one of the reasons why Arsenal signed him, Arteta, who served as an assistant to Pep Guardiola at City from 2016 to 2019, said: “For sure – he’s been through a lot in the last few years and he’s still young.

“He has enormous experiences and some of them, while not the nicest, they’ve been necessary to (shape) the player he is today. I’m really happy to have him in the team.

“He came here for a reason, he changed our world. He’s brought so much belief and energy to the team, and he needs to step into those moments. That’s why he played, and he’s done that.

“That’s when a player becomes accountable to the team, and the team relies on those players to win games. We need players like this.”

However, the Arsenal boss said he was concerned over the injury which forced the striker off late in the game. “He hurt something in his hamstring and he had to come off, I’m worried about that,” said Arteta.

Martinelli had a superb chance to give Arsenal an early lead when he was put through on goal but his shot was saved by Sevilla goalkeeper Orjan Nyland.

It was a warning to the home side that they did not heed, and Martinelli made sure second time around when another chance presented itself just before the break.

He raced clear from Jesus’ clever pass and this time rounded the goalkeeper before scoring.

Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard fired over the bar early in the second period but the London side did manage a second goal in the 53rd minute.

Jesus curled in a shot from a narrow angle to keep up his record of having scored in every Champions League group game so far this season.

The visitors needed that insurance goal too, as Sevilla pulled one back five minutes later when Nemanja Gudelj headed home from a corner.

The home side had several chances to score again but some scrambling defence and a late miss from Lucas Ocampos allowed Arsenal to hold on. 

The Gunners next host Sheffield United on Saturday in the top flight before switching their focus to the League Cup next Wednesday, when they visit West Ham United in the fourth round. REUTERS