Gabriel Jesus Scores His Dream Match as Arsenal Make History in the Champions League

JAKARTA - Gabriel Jesus has reached his peak performance just a month after returning from a long injury. The Arsenal striker was only given the opportunity to play as a starter for the third time this season when Arsenal traveled to Inter Milan's home on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, early morning WIB.

He scored two goals in the first half to lead his team to a 3-1 victory over I Nerazzurri in the Champions League.

Jesus, who was named the best player of the match at the Giuseppe Meazza, has been out for almost a year after suffering an ACL injury in January 2025.

"This is a dream night. I always dreamed of being a football player. I watched football since I was a child, I watched a lot of Serie A."

"So, being in this stadium and scoring a goal here makes me cry because I always dreamed of being here. There is always a reason why things happen, whether it's good things or difficult things. I learned that during the 11 months I was away from the field," Jesus told Amazon Prime, reported by ESPN.

Jesus returned in December 2025, but has mostly been a substitute since then, with his only start before against Inter Milan coming in a domestic cup.

However, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta included the Brazilian in his starting line-up in Milan in place of Viktor Gyokeres, who has struggled to adapt since his big-money move from Sporting CP in the summer.

"Everyone wants to be a starter. I'm a very respectful person. I'm not a kid anymore, I'm 28 years old, so I understand football."

"I'm really happy Vik came in and scored. I'm really happy I scored and Vik scored too," Jesus said.

Jesus put Arsenal ahead in the 10th minute with a low shot from the edge of the box and met Jurrien Timber's less than perfect shot.

It was his first goal in the Champions League in more than two years, since scoring in a group game against Lens in November 2021.

Inter Milan equalised eight minutes later through Petar Sucic, but Jesus was again in the right place at the right time to restore Arsenal's lead in the 31st minute.

The goal started with Bukayo Saka sending a corner kick from the right to the far post, where Leandro Trossard headed the ball back to Jesus to score.

Gyokeres then came on to replace Jesus in the 75th minute and scored Arsenal's third goal, nine minutes later.

"It's amazing, we miss Gabby so much. It will increase the confidence level of himself and the team because now we have a different profile in that position."

"The fact that those players are playing at that level - Viktor comes in, he also has a big impact in the game - it just makes us better and that's what we're looking for," Arteta said.

The victory ensured that Arsenal, who are top of the table, qualified for the Champions League 16th round and made them win seven consecutive matches in European tournaments for the first time in their history.

Arsenal have never won the Champions League despite reaching the final in 2006 when they lost to Barcelona.

Arteta's team is also leading the English League standings, with a seven-point lead, and will host Manchester United on Sunday, January 25, 2026.