Arsenal celebrated their place in the last 16 of the Champions League by defeating Inter Milan thanks to the performances of Gabriel Jesus and Victor Goqueres.
The Gunners had already received confirmation of a top eight place at league stage following Manchester City’s shock defeat to Bodø/Glimt earlier in the day.
But Jesus’ heroics continue the Gunners’ perfect record in Europe this season and give them momentum heading into Sunday’s game against Manchester United. Jesus is firmly in contention for a starting spot with Gökeres in this game, before the Swede regained his eligibility with a late attack.
Mikel Arteta made seven changes to his starting XI with the visit of Michael Carrick’s side looming at the weekend, despite several key players including William Saliba, Eberechi Eze and Bukayo Saka starting.
But it was Jesus who stole the show, latching onto Julian Timber’s deflected shot and taking the initiative by slotting the ball past Jan Sommer to give his team an early lead. This was his first goal in the Champions League since April 2024.
Gabriel Jesus’ double could be enough to earn him a starting place against Manchester United on Sunday (live on Sky Sports)
Inter equalized moments later with Petar Sučić firing a shot from all 20 yards into the top corner after the visitors were unable to clear their lines.
Petar Susic scores the equalizer with a great goal for Inter against Arsenal
It wouldn’t have been an Arsenal game if it hadn’t been for the goal from a set-piece just after the 30th minute. When Leandro Trossard headed the ball back across the penalty area from a corner kick, Jesus was given the easy task of scoring from close range.
Gabriel Jesus is congratulated by his teammates after scoring his team’s second goal against Inter
Inter continued to cause problems for Arsenal during the break, but while that may have been a positive for Carrick and United, who looked deadly on the counter-attack against Manchester City, they were unable to break down the Gunners for the second time on the night.
Sunday, January 25th 4pm
4:30pm kickoff
In the end the hosts would be punished with substitute Gokeres combining with Saka before finding the top corner in a perfect response to Jesus’ effort.
Victor Gokeres came off the bench to score Arsenal’s third goal against Inter Milan
That, and the decision about whether to keep Jesus in the squad, is a question for another day for Arteta. Arteta’s side secured a top-two finish in the league with the victory, while Inter narrowly slip into the top eight.
Jesus: Me or Gokeres? We’ll both score.
Arsenal’s Gabriel Jesus said this on Amazon Prime after the match.
“(This is) a dream night. I’ve always dreamed of being a soccer player. I’ve watched a lot of Serie A and Italian soccer, so to come here and play here and score here brought tears to my eyes.”
“There’s always a reason for things to happen. I’ve learned that in 11 months. It’s difficult to play for Inter. I played here last season and lost.
“Tonight we played better than them and controlled them. They have top players and they are playing at home. In the end we scored and got the three points. It feels great.”
“Everyone wants to start. I’m a polite guy. I understand the situation.
Victor Gokeres has scored three goals in his last three Champions League games.
“I understand how football works and I was happy that Vic scored the goal. It’s always difficult to be a striker without goals.
“I’ve been fighting this all my career. I’m glad he came out and scored a goal. I’m 100 percent sure that if someone gets a chance, he’ll score a goal and help us.”
Arteta: “I couldn’t have written it any better”
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said on Amazon Prime after the match:
“I’m very proud of the team. We needed a special performance and a very complete performance from the first team and we certainly delivered that tonight.
“What impressed me the most was the courage, attitude and desire to go to another level. To do it at San Siro against the best team in Serie A and the best team in Europe is something else.”
“It was about being better than them. We knew how we had to go through the different stages.
“They managed the game and controlled the game in a very good way. We knew we needed to do it through the pitch and through the subs.
About Gabriel Jesus:
“We have an unbelievable player. The bigger the game, the more comfortable he is.
“I’m very happy for him. I think he deserves the man of the match award, not just for the goal but for all the work he’s done.”
“We missed Gabby. Now we have guys who play in different positions. That only makes us even better.”
Regarding Jesus and Gokeres’ scores:
“If I had to write it, that would be it.”
