Arsenal sealed their place in the last 16 with a 3-1 win over Inter Milan in the UEFA Champions League group stage.
Published on January 20, 2026
Gabriel Jesus has been in top form just over a month after returning from injury.
The Arsenal forward was handed just his third start of the season and scored twice in a dynamic first half to set his side on course for a 3-1 win over Inter Milan in the Champions League on Tuesday.
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Jesus was out for almost a year after tearing his ACL last January.
“It’s a dream night. I’ve always dreamed of being a footballer,” Jesus told Amazon Prime. “I watched when I was young, I watched a lot of Serie A, so to be here in this stadium and to score here is a tear in my eye, because I’ve always dreamed of being here.
“There’s always a reason why things happen, whether they’re good things or hard things. I learned that during my 11 months off the field.”
Jesus returned in December, but since then has mainly made substitute appearances, starting before coming into Tuesday’s domestic cup fixtures.
However, Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta named the Brazilian at the San Siro in place of Victor Gyokares, who has struggled to adapt since his big-money move from Sporting Lisbon in the summer.
“Everyone has to make a start,” Jesus continued. “I’m a very respectable man. I’m not young anymore; I’m 28, so I understand football.
“I’m very happy Vic came on and scored. I’m very happy I scored and Vic scored.”
In the 10th minute, Jesus extended his leg and got on the end of Jurien Timber’s shot with ease to give Arsenal the lead.
It was his first Champions League goal in over two years since netting in a group match against Lens in November 2023.
Inter equalized eight minutes later through Petar Susic, but Jesus equalized in the right place at the right time to put Arsenal ahead in the 31st minute.
Bukayo Saka curled in a corner from the right towards the far post, where Leandro Trossard nodded Jesus home.
Gyokares made a run for Jesus in the 75th minute and scored Arsenal’s third nine minutes later.
The win sent Arsenal into the knockout stages of the Champions League at the top of the table and won seven European matches in a row for the first time in their history.
Arsenal have never won the Champions League, although in 2006 they reached the final, losing to Barcelona.
Arteta’s side are seven points clear at the top of the Premier League and host Manchester United on Sunday.