Gabriel Jesus wants to fulfill his ambition of winning trophies with Arsenal and believes they are “getting closer” after three consecutive runners-up finishes in the Premier League.
Mikel Arteta’s side head into their match against Inter in Milan on Tuesday night at the top of the Champions League table after winning all six of their games, while Arsenal also have a seven-point lead in the Premier League and remain in both domestic cups. Jesus is the only member of the Arsenal team to have won the title having won four medals during his time at Manchester City.
The Brazilian striker expires at the end of next season and admitted that he has not yet held talks to extend his contract. But Jesus, who has just returned from almost a year out with a knee injury, insisted he wants to stay at Arsenal because he has unfinished business in north London.
“My first goal is to be healthy,” he said. “This is my fourth season at Arsenal and I hope to play maybe one and a half, two and then the rest with injuries. So I just try to stay fit. My wish is to stay at Arsenal, I want to extend my contract. I want to stay. I want to win trophies with Arsenal because I come here with a purpose and that’s all. But obviously, the reality is different.”
Asked if Arsenal now have the mentality to win trophies after coming so close in recent seasons, Jesus said: “We are getting closer. Unfortunately, the last three seasons since I have been here at Arsenal, we have finished second. But we are in good form, we are happy to be in a position where we can win games. I think we can win.”
Arsenal only need a point to secure their place in the last 16 of the Champions League as they prepare to face an Inter side who beat them 1-0 at the San Siro in the competition last season. The Serie A leader is now managed by Cristian Chivu.
It will be the fourth consecutive away game in different competitions for Arteta’s team (the first time a team in the English top flight has faced such a scenario) and the Arsenal manager wanted to underline the importance of avoiding adding two extra games to their schedule in the playoff round.
“That’s huge, we know,” Arteta said. “If we win, we know it will be so, so let’s make it happen.”