Gabriel Jesus Reminisces About Crucial Champions League Goal Against Real Madrid After Completing Arsenal Move

Gabriel Jesus looked back at two of his most difficult games at Manchester City after completing a move to Arsenal.

The 25-year-old has swapped the Etihad Stadium for the Emirates in search of regular first-team football after spending six-and-a-half seasons at Manchester City.

With 95 goals and 46 assists to his name in 233 games across all competitions for the Premier League champions, Jesus has joined Arsenal ahead of the World Cup later this year.

Gabriel Jesus (Image: Alamy)

The Brazil international enjoyed a strong finish to his final season in Manchester by scoring crucial goals in City's Premier League and Champions League run-in, against the likes of Real Madrid, Watford and Leeds United.

Jesus was started by Pep Guardiola in his side's league-defining meeting with Aston Villa on the final day of last season, as the Blues came from two goals down to retain their league title.

In his first interview as an Arsenal player, Jesus was asked if the nerve-wracking battle with Steven Gerrard's side was perhaps the most dramatic game he has ever featured in.

Gabriel Jesus (Image: Alamy)

Jesus said: “Yes, 100%. Someone from my family asked me after the game, ‘If you had the choice to win 5-0 or the way it was (3-2)’, I’d say 5-0."

"You never know, I looked to the TV, it was 71 minutes and 0-2 down. We had to score two quickly, and we did, we scored three quickly. In the 81st minute, it was 3-2!"

"Some things you cannot describe. It is what it is. I think we celebrated a lot. It was 100% one of the most difficult moments for me.”

Gabriel Jesus (Image: Alamy)

Jesus started home and away against Real Madrid in for Manchester City in the Champions League semi-final last season, scoring the second at the Etihad Stadium after Kevin De Bruyne gave his side the lead in the first leg.

The forward has fared well against the Spanish giants during his time in Manchester, scoring home and away against Real Madrid in the Champions League Round of 16 stage in 2020 as well.

“First of all, I didn’t think I would start the game (first leg), then I started as winger, a left-winger - I was a little bit surprised, wow!"

Gabriel Jesus (Image: Alamy)

"I hadn’t played here before. But I played, and then I went full as always. I liked to play there as well."

"It was a very good game from the team, we played so well."

After Isco scored for the La Liga champions in the second half, Jesus - who put in a tremendous shift on the left side of attack for Pep Guardiola at the Santiago Bernabeu - levelled proceedings with a well-taken header past Thibaut Courtois.

Gabriel Jesus (Image: Alamy)

Jesus added: "But we couldn’t score, we missed a few chances, and then they scored. However after, we were a big club as well, big players trying to win."

"We played, we attacked them, we created chances. In my mind, we were going to win the game because we were playing so good, amazing."

"When Kevin (De Bruyne) crossed the ball, I was thinking I had to (score), and then I scored. Then after, Raheem (Sterling) won the penalty and Kevin converted."

Gabriel Jesus (Image: Alamy)

City took a 2-1 lead back to the Etihad Stadium, where Jesus scored twice to seal a quarter-final berth for his former club, who then failed to make it past Lyon to reach the semi-final.

"So good, such a good moment. To win against this type of team (like Real Madrid) is always important for confidence because they are one of the best clubs in the world," Jesus said.

"They have amazing players as well. To win there, in a top stadium, it’s good. Always good.”