Gabriel Jesus has opened up on playing in the same Arsenal team as Viktor Gyokeres and his hopes of getting a call-up for Brazil at the World Cup this summer
10:28, 16 Feb 2026Updated 13:22, 16 Feb 2026
Gabriel Jesus started for Arsenal in the Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match against Wigan Athletic
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Gabriel Jesus started for Arsenal in the Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match against Wigan Athletic (Image: David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Gabriel Jesus has reflected on both the potential of playing with Viktor Gyokeres in the same team and his hopes of making Brazil's World Cup squad in the summer.
The Brazilian striker scored the fourth goal against Wigan Athletic as the Gunners reached the fifth round of the competition for the first time since they won it back in 2020.
Jesus’ return to fitness has seen him make a strong impact for Arsenal, scoring five goals and adding an assist in just over 650 minutes of action on the field. He has certainly aided in Mikel Arteta's hopes of lifting silverware, including his brace in the San Siro against Inter Milan.
“A lot of things happen with this type of injury,” Jesus admitted. “I am so glad that I have come back in a good way. I am in a good spot now.
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“This was my first 90 minutes of the season. It is an amazing achievement for someone that was away for 11 months.
“A lot of players that had the same injury, normally they struggle a little bit to come back and play. The last game I did not play, so today I could play 90 minutes and run a lot.
“I am very, very happy. For the forward players, normally, if you have consistency and minutes, it’s much easier to have good fitness.
“But I understand that my role in the team has changed, and obviously I support who is playing. I try to keep believing that I will get my chance.
“Then, when I get my chance, I just try to do my best and help the team. That’s it.”
Despite starting the game up top on Sunday, when Gyokeres came on at half-time for Bukayo Saka, the Brazilian moved into a deeper role.
Asked whether he felt this was a position which he could potentially feature in more, especially with Mikel Merino, Havertz and Martin Odegaard all currently injured, it was clear the forward’s priority was simply to be involved.
“It depends on the game,” Jesus explained. “It depends on the mode of the game.
“Today I was doing a role that, normally, I don’t do - but in the past I have played there. I like to be on the pitch, trying to play between the lines.
“I think I have the capacity to play in the four positions up front, so that is good for me.
“Then, obviously, to play with Vik - or even Kai - is good because one helps each other. Today it was nice to play together.”
With a World Cup coming up, Jesus still harbours hopes of breaking into Carlo Ancellotti’s squad.
He faces competition from Chelsea’s Joao Pedro, Manchester United’s Matheus Cunha, Tottenham’s Richarlison, Brentford’s Igor Thiago and Palmeiras’ Vitor Roque.
“I have been there before,” Jesus said. “The first World Cup I was at wasn’t the greatest one for me.
“A lot of things happened in that World Cup and then obviously the second one was different.
“I wasn’t a starter and then after, when I got the chance, I did my MCL. Unfortunately, I had to fly back home.
“This one, I keep believing that I still have a chance to go and show that I can go there and help them. But obviously, we have amazing players.
“I think the competition is still open, because for Brazil, like other nationalities, this could be the hardest World Cup. Everyone has amazing squads, amazing players.
“I want to be involved and let’s see. If I keep playing when I get the chance here, then I can keep showing that I am able to help the team.
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“Afterwards, the coach there can look and see if I am able to help them as well.”
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