NOTTINGHAM, United Kingdom: Arsenal’s Gabriel Jesus plans to adopt a new ‘mindset’ in his quest for more goals after starring in the Gunners’ 2-1 win at Nottingham Forest.
The Brazil forward, who overcame a knee injury to make the visitors’ starting XI at the City Ground on Tuesday, opened the scoring in the 65th minute and set up Arsenal’s second goal for Bukayo Saka seven minutes later.
Jesus has managed a mere 19 goals in 56 games in all competitions since his £45 million ($57 million) move from Manchester City in 2022.
And the 26-year-old, who has helped lay goals on for team-mates, is determined to be more single-minded in terms of boosting his own tally after helping Arsenal climb to second in the Premier League table ahead of their clash at home to leaders Liverpool on Sunday.
“Sometimes it is all about stats and sometimes it is all about watching the game,” said Jesus.
“If you watch the game, you see me playing... I am close to 100 goals in the Premier League — that’s not easy.
“Then in the Champions League I am scoring a lot, in the national team I score. Sometimes, like I say, I am not focused on that (scoring goals) and that’s my mistake.
“So now, I think I change my mindset and I will be in the box more — and I try everything to score.”
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta lauded Jesus for his determination to feature at Forest despite knee trouble.
“Gabi started to win the game two days ago,” Arteta said. “He had an issue with his knee and everyone was trying to protect him and saying don’t go outside.”
The Spaniard added: “But he was saying (matchday) minus 2, (matchday) minus 1, I want to be there I want to help the team to win the game. When you have that mentality, good things are going to happen. I’m really pleased with him.
“He got hit big time in the last game. His knee reacted and it’s the knee he had (surgery on) before.
“He was super positive, he’s feeling good and he was so sharp in training. I’m not surprised with the way he played.”
Arsenal’s Jesus promises new ‘mindset’ in search of more goals
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Arsenal’s Jesus promises new ‘mindset’ in search of more goals
- The 26-year-old is determined to be more single-minded in terms of boosting his own tally
- “Sometimes it is all about stats and sometimes it is all about watching the game,” said Jesus
Augsburg hand Bayern Munich first Bundesliga defeat since March
- Hiroki Ito’s opener gave the defending champions an early lead
- Augsburg fought back with two goals in six second-half minutes from Arthur Chaves and Han-Noah Massengo
BERLIN: Augsburg stunned Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich 2-1 on Saturday to hand their Bavarian rivals a first league defeat since March.
Hiroki Ito’s opener gave the defending champions an early lead but Augsburg fought back with two goals in six second-half minutes from Arthur Chaves and Han-Noah Massengo.
Second-placed Borussia Dortmund could cut the gap to Bayern to eight points with a victory at Union Berlin later on Saturday.
Bayern have been unstoppable this season. They had recorded the best opening half of a season in Bundesliga history and dropped just four of a possible 54 points in 18 games.
Favourites Bayern looked set for a routine victory when Ito headed in a Michael Olize corner after 23 minutes.
Unfancied Augsburg last won a match in early December but fought back when Chaves made the most of a mistake from Bayern’s back-up goalie Jonas Urbig to level with 76 minutes gone.
Massengo then finished off a superb team move to put Augsburg in front and on track for their first win in Munich since 2015.
Olize hit the post deep in stoppage time but Augsburg held on for a memorable victory.
Elsewhere, surprising Hoffenheim tightened their grip on a top-four spot with a come-from-behind 3-1 win at struggling Eintracht Frankfurt.
Frankfurt, who sacked coach Dino Toppmoeller last Sunday, took the lead through Arnaud Kalimuendo with 18 minutes gone.
Hoffenheim turned the game round with three goals in 13 second-half minutes.
Max Moerstedt and Ozan Kabak scored, while Hoffenheim, relegation battlers last season, forced Aurele Amenda into an own goal to solidify their hold on third spot, three points behind second-placed Dortmund.
RB Leipzig cruised past Heidenheim 3-0 to move up to fourth, thanks to goals from Ridle Baku, Antonio Nusa and captain David Raum.
Former Real Madrid defender Lucas Vazquez scored the only goal as Bayer Leverkusen beat Werder Bremen 1-0 at home, breaking a three game losing streak.
The victory took the 2024 Bundesliga champions up to sixth.
Mainz beat Wolfsburg 3-1 to continue their recent resurgence. Rock-bottom at Christmas, Mainz have claimed nine points from their past six matches to climb into the relegation playoff spot.
