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Gabriel Jesus put his faith in god to return to the Arsenal team stronger after suffering a serious knee injury
Gabriel Jesus believes he can become the best version of himself after returning for Arsenal to help secure a sixth straight win in the Champions League.
The Gunners are storming ahead out in front of the chasing pack with a perfect record and only one goal conceded in the competition, with only Inter Milan and Kairat Almaty left to face.
Mikel Arteta made a late switch with the inclusion of Jesus, replacing the injured Max Dowman in the squad with a last-minute registration before the trip to Belgium.
Jesus had been missing for 342 days with a knee injury and reflected post-match on the journey of his return and how his faith helped him through the process.
“So my first thoughts were like, why? You always keep questioning why, the reason why. It wasn’t an easy season for me last season, and then at the moment I stepped in and started to play, started to score goals and play good, this happens [the knee injury].
“So, the first question was: why? Every single day, the first two or three weeks, I asked why it happened to me now. And then, after I could understand that I needed to be closer to Jesus, to God, to read the Bible.
“It helped me so much, you know, because it kept me believing that I’m a son of God, and then I could do everything if I felt God’s plans.
“So yeah, because of God, I could stay 11 months, believing that I could come back good. To move the way I moved tonight showed to myself that God protects me all the time.”
The Brazilian hit the bar and had two further shots on target in his thirty minutes on the field, and managed more touches of the ball than the man he replaced, Viktor Gyokeres.
He rejoins the group chasing multiple titles, and with the club currently top of both the Premier League and Champions League tables.
Despite the injuries the club have faced in the past 18 months, with Jesus absent for the majority of that period, the north London side have rightfully gained the tag of favourites for multiple competitions.
Now the 28-year-old is back, with Arteta already citing his importance to the team again, both on and off the pitch, Jesus knows he has an important role to play.
“In my career, I have had amazing moments, and I have won amazing titles as well. I have been in amazing positions with the clubs before, and even with Arsenal.
“Unfortunately, we did not win anything yet, but just to come to Arsenal and then help, like everyone else, to make Arsenal fight for the titles again, this makes me feel happy.
“I'm a different guy when I have a smile on my face, I'm 100% sure, and then obviously now I'm more experienced, now I have had 11 months of doubting, of stepping back and watching everything around me, that has helped me a lot.
He added: “I think he means that I can help on the pitch or outside. Now I am more experienced, more patient. I know if I have the chance, I am going to go there and do my best to help the team, like everyone else here. I think that is what he means.”
English (US) ·