Gabriel Jesus in dreamland after double in Arsenal’s win over Inter Milan at San Siro
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Arsenal's Gabriel Jesus celebrates scoring their second goal in the 3-1 Champions League win over Inter Milan at the San Siro on Jan 20.
PHOTO: REUTERS
MILAN – Gabriel Jesus said that it was a dream to score at the San Siro, as he marked his first start in this season’s Champions League by netting twice in Arsenal’s 3-1 win at Inter Milan
The Brazilian scored twice in the first half, either side of Inter’s equaliser, to send the Gunners on their way to their seventh win from seven games in the competition, and he was emotional after the final whistle.
“It’s a dream night,” the striker told Amazon Prime.
“I always dreamed of being a footballer. I watched when I was a kid. I watched a lot of Serie A, so to be here in this stadium and score here is tears in my eyes because I always dreamed of being here.”
Jesus only returned to action in December having been sidelined since January 2025 after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury in his left knee.
“There is always a reason that things happen, even whether it’s good things or difficult things,” he added.
“I learned that during my 11 months out of the field.”
The English Premier League leaders proved too strong for Serie A table-toppers Inter, who lost the 2025 final and beat Arsenal 1-0 during last season’s competition.
The victory also made the Gunners mathematically sure of a top-eight finish.
“It is always difficult to play against Inter Milan. We came here last season and lost,” Jesus said.
“Tonight we played better than them, we controlled them but they are a top team and they attack. We scored at the end and got the three points.”
Jesus has yet to start in the Premier League since his return, making seven substitute appearances, but his performance against Inter will surely give manager Mikel Arteta food for thought ahead of the game with Manchester United on Jan 25.
“Everyone wants to start. I am a very respectful guy,” Jesus insisted.
“I am not a kid anymore, I am 28, so I understand football. I am very happy Vik (Viktor Gyokeres) came on and scored a goal. I am so happy I scored and Vik scored.
“I am confident Kai (Havertz) will score when he gets the chance.”
The Brazilian started in place of summer signing Gyokeres, who has struggled but made sure of the win with a fine shot in the 84th minute.
“There’s an unbelievable player and the bigger the game, the more comfortable he plays,” Arteta said about Jesus. “He deserves the Man of the Match award.”
On the win, the Arsenal boss added: “I’m very proud of the team.
“We said before the game, we needed a special performance and we’ve certainly done that today. We went to another level and to do it at the San Siro against one of the best teams in Europe is something else.”
While Arsenal are top of the Champions League standings, Inter, who levelled through a fabulous Petar Sucic strike in the 18th minute, sit ninth after losing a third straight match in Europe’s elite club competition for the first time in their history.
“The Champions League doesn’t offer you many opportunities and those that you get, you need to take. Arsenal deserved to win tonight,” Inter coach Cristian Chivu said. REUTERS, AFP
