Gabriel Jesus has expressed his frustration with the limited playing time he has received this season, having started only five matches, with just one in the Premier League. The Arsenal forward has voiced his dissatisfaction to manager Mikel Arteta, seeking more opportunities on the pitch, a sentiment he shares with many of his teammates.
So far this season, Jesus has played just 39 minutes in the Premier League over the last month, despite featuring in every League Cup match and starting two games in the Champions League. He was omitted from the starting lineup in Arsenal’s 2-1 defeat to Inter Milan on Wednesday, though he came on as a substitute at halftime. This loss marked Arsenal’s second consecutive defeat, and the team has struggled to score in half of their last six matches.
Jesus’ only contribution this season has been a goal and an assist in the League Cup win over Preston North End last week. In total, he has played 480 minutes across all competitions, which is about five full matches, out of Arsenal’s 16 fixtures so far.
Despite his frustrations, Jesus has made it clear that he does not want to create unrest within the club. Instead, he plans to continue working hard in training and take advantage of any playing opportunities that arise. He remains hopeful that the upcoming match against Chelsea will offer him more minutes.
In an interview with TNT Sports Brasil following the Inter Milan defeat, Jesus said, “I think not just me, but every player wants more minutes. I will never cause problems within the club. I will keep proving my worth in training, and when I get the chance to play, I’ll give my best and trust that things will work out.”
He added, “I’ve always said I want to improve, give my best, and help Arsenal. Clearly, my current situation is not ideal—it’s not what I’d like—but I’m working hard to earn more playing time. That comes from my attitude and performance in training, and I’ll leave the decision to the coach.”
While acknowledging the strong competition for places at Arsenal, Jesus remains confident in his ability to make a difference for the team. “I believe in my own potential. The competition for my position is tough, but I also believe I can contribute a lot,” he said.
Other Arsenal players, such as Jorginho, Raheem Sterling, Jakub Kiwior, and Oleksandr Zinchenko, have also seen limited playing time, alongside academy prospects Ethan Nwaneri and Miles Lewis-Skelly. Additionally, players like Mikel Merino, Takehiro Tomiyasu, and Martin Ødegaard have had their appearances restricted due to injuries.
