Gabriel Jesus Sends Arsenal into Champions League Last 16 with Stunning Win Over Inter
Gabriel Jesus scored twice as Arsenal beat Inter Milan 3-1 at the San Siro, sealing a place in the Champions League last 16 and extending their unbeaten European run.
Gabriel Jesus Fires Arsenal Past Inter and into Champions League Last 16
Gabriel Jesus delivered a statement performance in Milan on Tuesday night, scoring twice as Arsenal defeated Inter 3-1 at the San Siro to secure qualification for the Champions League last 16. The victory confirmed the Gunners’ place among the competition’s top eight teams and underlined their growing authority on Europe’s biggest stage.
Arsenal’s seventh consecutive league-phase win moved them onto 21 points, a total that mathematically guarantees progression. In recent seasons, 16 points have been enough to secure a top-eight finish, making this result more than sufficient for Mikel Arteta’s side. More importantly, it showcased the depth and resilience of a squad increasingly comfortable in high-pressure continental encounters.
For Jesus, the night carried personal significance. The Brazilian forward had started only twice all season before being handed a rare opportunity in place of summer signing Viktor Gyökeres. What followed was a reminder of why Arteta values his experience, movement, and relentless pressing. Returning from a cruciate ligament injury that sidelined him for nearly a year, the 28-year-old looked sharp, confident, and decisive.
Arsenal began with authority and were rewarded early. In the 10th minute, Jesus opened the scoring with a close-range finish after pouncing on a mishit shot from Jurrien Timber. It was his first Champions League goal since November 2023 and a moment that settled the Gunners into the contest.
Inter, however, responded with intent. Petar Sučić drew the hosts level in the 18th minute with a thunderous strike that shifted momentum and lifted the home crowd. The Serie A leaders abandoned their cautious approach and began to trouble Arsenal’s back line with quicker transitions and direct running.
Sučić nearly doubled his tally in the 27th minute when Lautaro Martínez sent him through on goal, but hesitation crept in. Instead of shooting, he delayed and slipped a loose pass to Marcus Thuram, whose effort sailed high and wide. It proved a costly miss.
Just four minutes later, Arsenal punished Inter’s profligacy. From a rehearsed set-piece routine, Bukayo Saka delivered a looping corner that Leandro Trossard nodded back onto the crossbar. The rebound fell invitingly for Jesus, who had been left completely unmarked near the goal line. He made no mistake, restoring Arsenal’s lead and silencing the San Siro.
Inter continued to push after the break. Federico Dimarco tested David Raya with an angled drive, while substitute Pio Esposito went close as the Italian champions sought a route back into the match. Yet Arsenal remained composed, absorbing pressure and striking with precision on the counter.
The decisive moment arrived in the 84th minute. Viktor Gyökeres, introduced from the bench, finished off a swift break with a fine strike, sealing the victory and sparking celebrations among the traveling Arsenal supporters. The goal also eased any lingering doubts, allowing fans to shift their focus toward Sunday’s Premier League showdown with Manchester United.
For Arteta, the performance created a welcome selection dilemma. Jesus’ display raised questions about who should lead the line in domestic competition, especially with Gyökeres still searching for consistency. The Brazilian’s intelligent movement, sharp finishing, and tireless work rate offered a different dimension to Arsenal’s attack.
Beyond individual brilliance, the result carried broader implications. Arsenal now sit six points clear at the top of the standings ahead of Bayern Munich’s fixture with Union Saint-Gilloise. The Gunners’ European campaign has been marked by control, confidence, and maturity—qualities that suggest genuine ambition in this competition.
Inter, by contrast, endured a historic low. This defeat marked their third consecutive loss in Europe’s elite tournament, the first such run in the club’s history. They now sit eighth and face the prospect of dropping out of the top eight, with several teams capable of overtaking them. Even a win against Borussia Dortmund next week would leave them with a maximum of 15 points, making a playoff berth more likely than automatic qualification.
More troubling for Cristian Chivu’s side is a recurring pattern in high-profile matches. Inter have struggled in big moments, and defensive lapses proved costly once again. Both of Jesus’ goals stemmed from lapses in concentration, areas that elite opposition are quick to exploit.
For Arsenal, the victory reinforced their credentials as serious contenders. Winning at the San Siro is no small achievement, and doing so with authority sends a message across Europe. The blend of youth, tactical discipline, and big-game composure is beginning to define Arteta’s project.
As attention turns back to domestic matters, Arsenal carry momentum and belief. With Champions League qualification secured and confidence surging, the Gunners are well positioned to chase silverware on multiple fronts. And at the heart of this European triumph stands Gabriel Jesus—reborn, relentless, and once again decisive when it matters most.
