Gabriel Jesus wants to fulfil his ambition of winning trophies with Arsenal and believes they are “getting closer” after three successive runners-up finishes in the Premier League.
Mikel Arteta’s side head into their meeting with Inter in Milan on Tuesday night top of the Champions League table after winning all six of their games, while Arsenal also have a seven‑point lead in the Premier League and remain in both domestic cup competitions. Jesus is the only member of Arsenal’s squad who has won the title having picked up four winners’ medals during his time at Manchester City.
The Brazil striker is out of contract at the end of next season and admitted he has yet to hold talks over extending his deal. But Jesus, who has just returned from almost a year out with a knee injury, insisted he wants to remain at Arsenal because he has unfinished business in north London.
“My first target is to be healthy,” he said. “This is my fourth season at Arsenal and hopefully I play maybe one and a half, two and then the rest with injuries. So, I just try to be fit. My wish is to stay at Arsenal – I want to extend my contract. I want to stay. I want to win trophies with Arsenal because I come here with a purpose and that’s it. But obviously, the reality is different.”
Asked whether Arsenal now have the mentality to win trophies after coming so close in recent seasons, Jesus said: “We are getting closer. Unfortunately, the last three seasons since I’m here at Arsenal, we finished in second. But we are in good shape – we are happy we are in the position that we are winning games. I do believe we can win.”
Arsenal need only a point to ensure their progression to the Champions League knockout stages as they prepare to face an Inter side that beat them 1-0 in San Siro in the competition last season. The Serie A leaders are now managed by Cristian Chivu.
It will be a fourth away game in succession in different competitions for Arteta’s side – the first time an English top‑flight team has faced that scenario – and the Arsenal manager was keen to stress the importance of avoiding adding to their schedule with two extra games in the playoff round.
“That’s massive, we know that,” Arteta said. “If we win we know that’s going to be the case so let’s make it happen.”
