Arsenal Star Vows to Settle the Score After His World Came Crashing Down
Gabriel Jesus remains committed to Arsenal despite rumors suggesting a potential departure. The Brazilian forward is determined to revive a "dormant powerhouse" of English football by securing the Premier League championship.
The Gunners currently hold a narrow two-point lead over eight-time champions Manchester City as they approach the final weekend before the Christmas break, though they risk falling behind their fierce competitors if they stumble against Everton while City defeats struggling West Ham.
Jesus has been largely sidelined for most of this season and much of 2025 overall. He suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear in his left knee in January, only making his comeback on Dec. 10 during the 3–0 victory against Club Bruges in the Champions League.
Arsenal have considerably bolstered their offensive capabilities during Jesus's absence, acquiring Viktor Gyökeres and Noni Madueke, leading to speculation that the 28-year-old might seek opportunities elsewhere to revitalize his career.
However, in a comprehensive interview with The Players' Tribune, part of the Minute Media network, Jesus has committed his future to Arsenal and remains focused on helping the club break their 22-year Premier League title drought.
Jesus: No Intention of Leaving Arsenal
"I believe I have unfinished business at Arsenal, I have no desire to depart," Jesus stated.
"When I arrived here to work with Mikel [Arteta], my goal wasn't simply to find the net. My objective was to capture trophies. Upon joining the Premier League, I think most people wondered, 'Oh? Who is this young player?' They viewed me as merely a goalscorer. But that's not my self-perception. My greatest strength is that I will do anything necessary to help the team secure titles.
"At City, I fulfilled various roles. I sometimes shared scoring responsibilities with [Sergio] Agüero. At other times, I operated on the flank. And occasionally, I used my physical presence to connect play. I believe that's why Mikel recruited me here, years back. I don't always need to be the central striker to contribute to the team.
"I am here [at Arsenal] to create history. When I was promoted to the first team at Palmeiras at 18, they hadn't claimed the Brazilian championship in 22 years. We awakened the "dormant giant" and captured the title, and now they can't stop winning. I visit there occasionally, and I walk through the club corridors, and all you observe are trophies, trophies, trophies."
"I believe it can be identical at Arsenal," he added. "We can awaken the dormant giant. I have collaborated with Mikel since arriving in this country, and I understand what he expects from me. It's identical to what he expects from the chef. Everything, every day.
"With this manager and this squad, we can achieve it. I have faith in my abilities. I trust God's design. And I know that if I receive an opportunity, I can assist the team with the league."
Jesus: My World Crumbled After Knee Injury
Jesus had been displaying solid scoring form when his 2024–25 season came to an abrupt end.
A hat-trick against Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup quarterfinal—a matchup that will occur again this season—was the standout moment, but that celebratory occasion was quickly overshadowed when Jesus collapsed to the turf against Man Utd.
"This has been the most extraordinary year of my existence. Just as I felt I was returning to my peak performance, I heard a pop against United, and my world collapsed," Jesus recalled. "But I believe that God wouldn't present me with a challenge I couldn't overcome and emerge stronger from. He provided me with numerous blessings to help me through it: My spouse, my children, my teammates, and the medical team at Arsenal, who have been incredible.
"People have questioned, 'Why don't you simply depart? Why don't you go to Saudi? Or return home to Brazil?'
"Someday, I would cherish for everything to come full circle with Palmeiras, but not now."
Arteta Wouldn't Sell Jesus Anyway
One of Mikel Arteta's recurring themes in Arsenal media briefings over the past 18 months to two years has been the necessity for enhanced squad depth.
To that purpose, the Gunners have addressed several problematic areas in their roster and now possess an expanded pool of talent, capable of rotating to cover injuries or simply provide rest with the fixture schedule more congested than ever.
Of course, Gabriel Jesus. And I'll add more. Soon you're returning home, Gabriel! One day you'll come back.
It's likely for this reason that Arteta has publicly expressed his wish for Jesus to remain—Palmeiras and River Plate have been mentioned—despite having Gyökeres, Madueke, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Leandro Trossard, Kai Havertz and, though not his preferred role, Mikel Merino as his attacking options.
"No, I don't contemplate that and particularly with the circumstances we currently face," the Spaniard confidently declared last week while addressing journalists. "I believe Gabi has much to contribute to the team and he is demonstrating that immediately in the first minutes he was available to play. He has invested so much to reach this position again and now the focus is to remain with us.
"A player of his caliber, a player who has contributed so much to us and when he arrives with the energy he displayed recently, he is certainly a player who must be competing and striving [to start], that's definite."