Gabriel Jesus has openly shared his dissatisfaction with the limited playing time he’s experienced this season at Arsenal, having started in just five matches across all competitions and only one in the Premier League. The Brazilian forward, who joined Arsenal from Manchester City with high expectations, has conveyed his desire for more consistent minutes on the pitch to manager Mikel Arteta. His recent statements reflect not only his own eagerness but also the shared sentiment among some of his teammates who, like him, are keen for more opportunities to contribute.
Over the past month, Jesus has logged just 39 minutes in the Premier League, although he has been a regular presence in the League Cup games and started twice in the Champions League. He was notably left on the bench during Arsenal’s recent 2-1 loss to Inter Milan but was brought on at halftime. This match added to a challenging period for Arsenal, marking their second consecutive defeat and another game where they struggled to find the back of the net, continuing a pattern where the team has failed to score in half of their last six games.
Despite his limited involvement, Jesus has managed to make an impact in the League Cup, where he scored his only goal and provided his sole assist of the season in Arsenal’s victory over Preston North End. So far, he has played a total of 480 minutes across all competitions, which equates to roughly five full games out of Arsenal’s 16 fixtures to date. The numbers highlight his relatively reduced role within the squad, a situation he is not pleased with but is determined to approach professionally.
Jesus is clear about his intent to avoid causing disruption within the team, emphasizing that his approach will be to work hard and make the most of any playing time he receives. His outlook remains optimistic as he looks forward to the possibility of increased minutes, particularly with the upcoming match against Chelsea. Speaking to TNT Sports Brasil after the Inter defeat, Jesus explained his mindset: “Not only me, but all players want more minutes. I will never create any problems within the club. I will continue to show my worth in training, and when I get my chance in games, I’ll do my best and trust that things will come.”
He went on to express his dedication to improvement and his willingness to let his work speak for itself, stating, “I’ve always made it clear that I want to improve, to do my best, and to help Arsenal. Obviously, my situation isn’t ideal, it’s not the way I would want it, but I’m working hard on my own to earn more minutes. That comes from my training, my attitude, and I’ll leave the decision to the coach.”
Recognizing the competition for playing time at Arsenal, Jesus acknowledged the strength of his teammates but remains confident in his own abilities and what he can bring to the team. His remarks reflect his belief that he can make a valuable contribution, noting, “I believe in my potential. The competition for my spot is tough, but I also believe I can help a lot.”
While Jesus has experienced more game time than some of his peers, such as Jorginho, Raheem Sterling, Jakub Kiwior, and Oleksandr Zinchenko, as well as young talents like Ethan Nwaneri and Miles Lewis-Skelly, other key players like Mikel Merino, Takehiro Tomiyasu, and Martin Ødegaard have seen their minutes limited by injury setbacks.
