Striker Gabriel Jesus used the microphones this Tuesday, January 20, 2026, to express public support for teammate Viktor Gyökeres. The Swedish player, signed by Arsenal at the start of the current European season for 63.5 million euros, is going through a period of questioning due to his recent low offensive productivity. In a press conference given before official training at Estádio San Siro, the Brazilian emphasized that adapting to a new elite club requires patience and psychological resilience from athletes.
Gyökeres’s situation became a central topic in the English press after the striker registered just two balls in the net in the last 12 matches played by Gunners. In the 2025/2026 season in total, he scored eight goals in 26 official games, numbers that contrast with the overwhelming performance he had in Sporting, of Portugal. Gabriel Jesus, who is 28 years old and has already faced similar periods of drought, highlighted that the contribution of a modern center forward goes far beyond finishing statistics.
- The Swedish player scored 97 goals in 102 games for Sporting over the past two seasons.
- According to Arsenal, the current average is approximately 0.31 goals per match played.
- The London team leads both the Premier League and the league phase of the Champions League.
- Gabriel Jesus recently returned to the pitch after nine months of recovery from surgery.
💬 “I’m so glad that since I came back, I have had a lot of minutes. I’m in a good way to help the team.”
—Arsenal (@Arsenal)January 20, 2026
Gabby looks ahead to our next Champions League test 👇
Internal support and shared experience
Gabriel Jesus highlighted that he maintains a close relationship with the Swede, facilitated by the fact that they are both the same age and share the same ambitions at the club. The Brazilian stated that he usually exchanges ideas with his teammate about positioning and decision-making within the opponent’s penalty area. Para Jesus, Gyökeres’s history in previous competitions is clear proof of his technical ability and the potential that can still be explored in Londres.
The confidence of the group of players seems unshaken, despite external pressure coming from fans and sports analysts who demand greater effectiveness from the millionaire reinforcement. Arsenal’s number 9 reiterated that the squad is united to provide the necessary support for the attacker to regain peace of mind in his conclusions. Ele believes that collective work under the command of Mikel Arteta favors the individual recovery of athletes who go through moments of technical instability.
Preparation for the confrontation against Inter of Milão
Arsenal enters the field at 9pm (Milão local time) this Tuesday to face Inter of Milão in the seventh round of the Champions League league phase. The English team seeks to maintain its 100% record in the continental competition, where it has already secured early classification for the next phase of the tournament. The duel is seen as a litmus test for the offensive system, as the Italian defense has conceded just four goals in the entire European competition so far.
- Departure location: Estádio San Siro (Giuseppe Meazza), at Milão, at Itália.
- Date and time: Terça Friday, January 20, 2026, at 9:00 pm local time (5:00 pm on
- Situation in the table: Arsenal occupies 1st place with 18 points in six games played.
- Opponent: Inter of Milão is in 6th place and seeks to consolidate itself within the G8.
Gabriel Jesus’s gradual return to the pitch
The Brazilian striker is experiencing his own process of recovery after overcoming the most serious injury of his professional career, suffered at the beginning of 2025. Após undergoing surgery on the anterior cruciate ligament of his left knee, Atualmente, he seeks to reacquire the ideal rhythm of the game to return to being a fundamental piece in the tactical scheme of
In the current season, Jesus participated in 11 games and found the net once, focusing mainly on strengthening his physical condition in intense training. The Spanish coach has managed the Brazilian’s minutes with caution, alternating his use with other names in the offensive sector, such as Gyökeres and Kai Havertz. Gabriel Jesus’s presence in the locker room is considered vital by the coaching staff due to his leadership and experience in major national and international achievements.
Intensity in training and collective focus
The atmosphere at the Arsenal training center remains positive, with the players focused on maintaining the regularity that has placed the team at the top of the main tables. Mikel Arteta has emphasized the need to keep one’s guard up, especially in away clashes against European football giants. The tactical preparation for the game in Milão involved simulations of defensive pressure and quick counterattacks, hallmarks of the playing style implemented by the coach.
The expectation for tonight’s clash is a balanced game with few clear scoring opportunities, given the defensive solidity of both sides. The Arsenal players believe that the group’s unity will be the difference in overcoming the hostile atmosphere in the Italian stadium and seeking three more points in the table. Gabriel Jesus concluded his statements by reinforcing that Gyökeres’s individual success will be a natural consequence of the good collective performance that the team has been demonstrating on a weekly basis.
Arsenal’s offensive performance in the season
Despite specific criticisms of some players, the Arsenal attack remains one of the most productive in the Europa, with an average of more than two goals per match in the Champions League. The distribution of goals between different athletes has been a trademark of the team, reducing the dependence on a single isolated scorer in statistics. Essa dynamics allows players in the adaptation phase, like the Swedish Gyökeres, to have time to find their best football without compromising immediate results.
The rotation system implemented by Arteta has ensured that the squad arrives well-rested at the decisive moments of the season, avoiding the excessive wear and tear seen in previous years. With the leadership of Premier League and Champions League under control, Gunners now focus on consolidating these positions before the start of the knockout stages. The match against Inter of Milão is treated as an early final due to the technical quality involved in both professional squads.
