Gabriel Jesus says he empathises with Viktor Gyokeres as the striker’s struggle for goals at Arsenal comes under increasing scrutiny.
The Sweden international has scored eight times this season – a return of one goal every 220 minutes – but that output has fallen well short of expectations following his arrival from Sporting Lisbon, where he struck 54 goals in 52 games last term to claim the Gerd Müller award as Europe’s top scorer.
Jesus knows the situation well. Having endured his own barren spells in front of goal for Arsenal, Manchester City and Brazil, the forward admits that even with the backing of teammates and coaching staff, confidence can be hard to come by.
Recently returned to action after 11 months out with an ACL injury, Jesus was asked whether Gyokeres’ regular starting berth is under threat. While the Brazilian has looked sharp since his comeback, goals have remained elusive for both strikers.
“Well, that’s a tough question because Vik is an amazing player,” Jesus told last night’s pre-Inter press conference.
“He’s a striker who can score goals every time, at every minute. Then also Kai [Havertz] is an amazing player, an amazing striker.
“I just find myself that I’m so happy that I come back. I had the toughest injury in my life, 11 months. And then just to come back the way I come back, I’m so glad.
“I’ve been in the position that Vik is now and it’s not easy. But I’m sure that everyone here, not only the coach and staff, the players as well, are going to support him and give him the belief that he’s here to help us.
“He has already helped us a lot. Every game, he has helped with something even when sometimes he does not score. He helps with another movement or fighting. Anything to win the game. In a club like Arsenal, there is no guaranteeing a spot to anyone.”
Jesus was still recovering in Brazil when Gyokeres completed his move to the Emirates, but the pair have since struck up a rapport, often discussing the finer points of their trade.
“Vik is an amazing guy, we have a good relationship,” said Jesus.
“We are the same age, and I have played here in the Premier League longer than him. Sometimes I give my opinion, and sometimes he gives his about goals because he knows.
‘He’s a top striker, he scored a lot of goals in his previous club, and I’m sure that he’s going to find a way to do the same for us because that would be good for us.”
After three injury-hit seasons at Arsenal, Jesus accepts that his long-term future remains uncertain, with his current contract running until 2027. For now, his focus is firmly on staying fit.
“I think my first target is to be healthy,” he reflected. This is my fourth season at Arsenal and unfortunately, I played maybe one-and-a-half, two. Then the rest, with injuries.
“That happens. Never happened with me before, but it happened here, I don’t know why. I don’t ask myself anymore. I just try to be fit, and then my first target is to be healthy from now until the end of the season.
“Like I said before, my wish is to stay at Arsenal. And then I have a contract as well. Obviously, if you ask me, like you did already, I want to extend my contract.
“I want to stay, and I want to win trophies with Arsenal because I came here with a purpose. Then that’s it. But obviously, the reality is different.
“Sometimes it can go [another] way. But my focus is to stay healthy and then win trophies with Arsenal.”