Gabriel Jesus feels there is no clear favourite in tonight’s UEFA Champions League tie against Bayern Munich.
Given that we’ve reached the quarter-finals of the competition, there is no reason to be intimidated by the opposition, he pointed out in his press conference yesterday.
“If we arrive in the quarter-finals of the Champions League it’s because we deserve it and we have quality,” he said. “We have to respect Bayern. They are Bayern, but we are Arsenal. They respect us as well so it will be a big game.
“Everyone here played in big stadiums before so everyone is prepared. It’s a huge game and will be a battle but if we try to enjoy it and be happy on the pitch, that will help a lot.”
With the Premier League title race also on the agenda for the rest of the season, Jesus feels we’re well prepared to tackle the upcoming tests thanks to the fitness of the squad.
“It’s the best part of the season for everyone who is still in the Champions League and also fighting for the Premier League,” he said. It’s exciting because these are the deciding games and small details count. Everyone is fit again and I hope everyone can give extra to help the team.
“The most important thing now is the fitness of the group. It’s only JT [Jurrien Timber] out but he’s coming back soon I hope, so this is good because it gives us extra power. We have a big squad with a lot of different qualities. We learned that you have to seize the small details like we’re doing now. Defensively, everyone is running back to help the team.”
Jesus has four goals in six Champions League appearances this season, but is more interested in helping the team generally than padding his individual statistics.
He said: “Maybe in the Premier League I have good stats as well but people don’t want to see! I want to win games and trophies so at the end everyone is happy, but I’m a striker and I want to score, I have to score so I try. It doesn’t matter which competition it is, I try to enjoy myself and help the team the best way I can.”
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