Jesus brace helps Arsenal down Inter to seal Champions League qualification

Arsenal win 3-1 at Inter Milan in the league phase of the UEFA Champions League to seal their place in the last 16.Published On 20 Jan 2026Gabriel Jesus is already hitting top form just a month after returning from a lengthy injury layoff.The Arsenal forward was given only his third start this season, and he scored twice in a dynamic first half to set his side on the way to a 3-1 victory at Inter Milan in the Champions League on Tuesday.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4Naomi Osaka’s outfit, entrance and win headline Australian Open day threelist 2 of 4Feuds, boycotts, sacking: What’s the Bangladesh cricket crisis all about?list 3 of 4Relocate our T20 World Cup matches outside India, BCB tells ICC againlist 4 of 4‘I didn’t set out to break records’: Pakistan’s first female MMA fighterend of listJesus was out for almost a year after tearing his ACL last January.“It’s a dream night. I always dreamed of being a footballer,” Jesus told Amazon Prime. “I watched when I was a kid, I watched a lot of Serie A, so to be here in this stadium and score here is tears in my eyes, because I always dreamed of being here.“There is always a reason that things happen, even whether it’s good things or difficult things. I learned that during my 11 months out of the field.”Jesus returned in December, but has made mainly substitute appearances since then, with his only starts before Tuesday coming in domestic cup competitions.However, Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta named the Brazilian in the starting lineup at San Siro in place of Viktor Gyokeres, who has struggled to adapt since his big-money move from Sporting Lisbon in the summer.“Everyone wants to start,” Jesus added. “I am a very respectful guy. I am not a kid any more; I am 28, so I understand football.“I am very happy Vik came on and scored a goal. I am so happy I scored, and Vik scored.”Jesus fired Arsenal in front in the 10th minute with an instinctive finish to stretch out his leg and get on the end of a scuffed Jurrien Timber shot.It was his first Champions League goal in more than two years since netting in a group match against Lens in November 2023.