Wayne Rooney: Arsenal star missed his chance to send Mikel Arteta message ahead of Man United
Wayne Rooney was stunned by one player’s post-match interview after Arsenal secured a 3-1 Champions League win over Inter Milan.
Gabriel Jesus bagged a Champions League brace for the first time since 2019, and despite Viktor Gyokeres flopping against Nottingham Forest, the Swedish star added a third at San Siro.
Petar Sucic got one back for the home side on Tuesday, 20 January, with Lautaro Martinez wanting a penalty on the night, but the Gunners put on a professional job to grab an important three points.
With Mikel Arteta‘s side at the top of both the Premier League and Champions League tables, silverware is certainly on the cards, but that does not mean his squad are without its weaknesses.
The biggest concern for supporters is the lack of a prolific centre-forward, and ahead of facing Man United on Sunday, 25 January, Jesus should have made a bigger case for himself to start again.
Gabriel Jesus should have used his interview to send a message to Mikel Arteta
Jesus has only recently returned from injury, so that must be taken into consideration, but the Brazilian should be pushing to start against Michael Carrick‘s side at the Emirates Stadium.
Speaking live on Amazon Video (20 January, 10:18pm), Rooney said: “If I were Gabriel Jesus now, I’d be saying ‘I want to start the game on Sunday’. He’s come here, scored two goals and played really well tonight
“So, if I were him, I’d be putting it in the manager’s mind that I really want to play. Of course, you respect your teammates, but you want to be playing in the big games.
“Mikel Arteta is going to see that interview, and that was the opportunity for him to say [it].“
Arsenal star’s full stats speak volumes at the San Siro
Two shots, both on target, two goals. That will be the main focus. However, the 28-year-old put on a show for the supporters in Italy, driving his teammates up the pitch whenever needed.
In his 75 minutes on the pitch, Jesus created two chances, one of which was a big chance, had six touches in the opposition’s box, entered into 10 duels, and even won a foul [FotMob].
The Brazilian is an absolute nuisance through the middle, and he always has been. Whoever Carrick decides to start at the weekend, they should fear his presence in the starting lineup.
Gyokeres has failed to impress since his big-money move from Sporting CP, so the Red Devils are more likely to prefer him to start over the player who bagged his first two goals of the campaign.
Arteta needs to be careful about playing Jesus too much after his injury return, but three points will be a huge target this weekend.