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
https://arab.news/wxvy9
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
Manchester United stun leaders Arsenal to open up Premier League title race
- United’s win, their first in the league at Arsenal since 2017, lifted them to fourth
LONDON: Manchester United loosened Arsenal’s grip on the Premier League title race with a 3-2 win in north London on Sunday thanks to stunning second-half goals by Patrick Dorgu and Matheus Cunha.
Victory would have restored Arsenal’s seven-point lead over chasers Manchester City and Aston Villa, both of whom won this weekend, but Mikel Arteta’s side instead left the door open as they lost at home for the first time this season.
United’s win, their first in the league at Arsenal since 2017, lifted them to fourth, and while they are not in the title equation themselves, it fueled the new-found optimism sweeping the club since Michael Carrick stepped in as interim coach.
Everything was going to plan for Arsenal when they took the lead in the 29th minute with a Lisandro Martinez own goal.
But a terrible mistake by Martin Zubimendi in the 37th minute gifted United an equalizer for Bryan Mbeumo.
Dorgu then smashed a ferocious shot in off the crossbar to put United ahead in the 50th minute but substitute Mikel Merino prodded the hosts level in the 84th.
United were not finished though and substitute Cunha was allowed to advance toward Arsenal’s goal before curling a low shot past the dive of David Raya from 25 meters to spark wild celebrations among the visiting fans.
Arsenal, who are now winless in three league games after two 0-0 draws, have 50 points from 23 games with City and Villa on 46. United moved fourth with 38 points.
United’s win followed their 2-0 defeat of Manchester City last weekend in Carrick’s first game of his second spell as the club’s interim manager.
The nerves are clearly starting to show at Arsenal as they seek their first title since 2004.
Even after Martinez got his legs in a tangle and deflected Martin Odegaard’s shot past his own keeper, Arsenal never looked completely at ease and slowly lost control of the game.
The omens still looked bad for United at that stage with Arsenal having won their last 15 Premier League games in which they had taken the lead.
But when William Saliba passed to Zubimendi who in turn gifted the ball straight to Mbeumo to score in style, the visitors suddenly sensed an opportunity.
Things took a dark turn for Arsenal five minutes after the interval. Again their defense was found wanting as Dorgu was allowed to control a bouncing ball before thumping a left-foot volley in off the crossbar past a stunned Raya.
Arteta reacted by making four substitutions, sending on Viktor Gyokeres, Eberechi Eze, Mikel Merino and Ben White while Noni Madueke also joined the fray later from a stacked bench.
There was huge relief when United failed to deal with a corner and Merino prodded in from close range — the ball being adjudged to have crossed the line after a brief delay.
It looked as though Arsenal had got out of jail and might even snatch a win but United’s belief was unwavering as Cunha delivered a gift to City and Villa.
