The Arsenal forward was also ending a run of nine months without a goal in a competitive fixture, having previously netted against Nottingham Forest on January 30th of this year.
Speaking after the game, Jesus agreed that it was good to end that drought, but he insisted that there’s context to consider.
“It’s good, it’s good,” Jesus said of his goal. “When people say [it is my first goal] since January, it looks like it’s a long, long time. Obviously, it’s nine months and I understand.
“But also people need to understand that I am starting less, I am playing less. I am not putting pressure [on the manager] or something like that, I am just saying the truth.
“But I also understand that I am the type of player, with my quality, that has to be there and score more. I want to and I am working really hard to get there.
“Then when I have my opportunities to play my minutes, I try to help the team and also I think now I am more focused on goals.”
“Before I was less focused, but now I am more focused to shoot because before I didn’t shoot a lot,” Jesus continued.
“Now, I think what has changed for me is I try to look for the goal. It’s good to be back scoring and obviously I want to keep scoring when I have my chance.
“Last season I had a few issues with injuries and stuff, that people don’t understand. They are not in the club, they don’t understand, but I am not here to make excuses.
“I am here to work, try to be fit and then, like I said, when I get my chance, enjoy playing football and try to help the team win.”
Looking back at Jesus’ last nine months, it’s worth mentioning that the Nottingham Forest game was immediately followed by a knee injury.
Jesus returned to the pitch a month later, but Kai Havertz had taken his starting spot. From then until the end of the season, the Brazilian forward only started four games.
The new campaign has been similar, with Jesus only starting his fifth match in all competitions on Wednesday, despite Arsenal playing 14 times. That’s partly because of another fitness setback, with Jesus suffering a groin injury in August.
Last month’s match against Southampton was the only Premier League game in which Jesus made the starting lineup.
Even so, part of the reason why Arteta has preferred to start Havertz is that the German international has taken his chances in the team. Until Wednesday, the same could not be said of Jesus, and it’s up to him to change that
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