Arsenal’s Gabriel Jesus Turns ACL Comeback Into a Night to Remember at San Siro
Arsenal secured a memorable 3-1 victory over Inter Milan at the San Siro on Tuesday, with Gabriel Jesus at the heart of a performance that marked a remarkable comeback from a long-term ACL injury. The victory extended the Gunners’ Champions League winning streak to seven consecutive matches, setting a new club record.
From the first whistle, Arsenal pressed aggressively, registering two attempts in the first 20 seconds. Jesus, back in top form after almost a year of absence, opened the scoring by converting a missed attempt from Jurrien Timber. The goal was not only his first since returning from injury, but also a statement of intent for him and his team.
Resilience in the face of adversity
Inter briefly equalized through a curling strike from Petar Sucic, threatening to change the momentum. Yet Arsenal regained control when Jesus capitalized on a Leandro Trossard corner, producing an acrobatic finish that secured his second goal of the evening. The performance highlighted his influence on Mikel Arteta’s side and reminded fans of his importance to Arsenal’s attacking ambitions.
Substitute Viktor Gyokeres added a late third goal from outside the area, completing a dominant display and scoring his third goal in five Champions League matches.
Jesus congratulated his teammate after the match: “I’m very happy that Vik came on and scored a goal. I’m so happy that I scored and Vik scored.
A night of emotional triumph
Speaking to Amazon Prime after the match, Jesus describes the evening as “a dream night” and admitted that scoring in the iconic Italian stadium brought him to tears. “I always dreamed of being here,” he said. His Champions League statistics underline his impact: 34 goals in 53 appearances, an average of 1.03 per 90 minutes, just behind Kylian Mbappe in terms of efficiency.
Manager Mikel Arteta was equally effusive, praising the team’s performance: “We’ve gone to another level and to do it at San Siro against one of the best teams in Europe is something else.” With a top-two place in the group already guaranteed, Arsenal can head into the knockout stages with confidence and a crucial home advantage.
A historic run: Arsenal joins elite clubs with record wins
The victory marked more than just a personal milestone for Jesus. Arsenal became the first English top-flight team to achieve away victories in four different competitions in a single month, following triumphs against AFC Bournemouth in the Premier League, Portsmouth in the FA Cup and Chelsea in the EFL Cup.
The Gunners also joined an elite group of clubs with seven Champions League wins by two or more goals in a single campaign, a feat previously achieved only by Bayern Munich in 2019/20.
Eyes on the prize: Arsenal counting on Jesus for domestic and European push
Arsenal’s next challenge comes in the Premier League against Michael Carrick’s revitalized Manchester United side, but Arteta remains focused on building domestic and European momentum.
Jesus, now fully recovered, should lead the line in crucial matches, providing pace, precision and leadership that could define the rest of the season.
“Everyone wants to start. I’m a very respectful guy. I’m not a kid anymore, I’m 28, so I understand football,” Jesus said. His words reflect both his maturity and his desire to guide Arsenal in high-stakes matches.
A night to remember – and a season to shape: Jesus’ next steps for Arsenal
Tuesday night will be remembered not only as a victory at one of the most intimidating venues in Europe, but also as a defining moment in the career of Gabriel Jesus. From months of rehabilitation to acrobatic finishes on the San Siro turf, Jesus turned his return to the ACL into an unforgettable evening – inspiring his teammates, thrilling the fans and reminding everyone why he remains one of Arsenal’s most important players.