Jesus reveals 11 months of ‘self-doubt’ after knee injury

Gabriel Jesus has acknowledged that nearly a full year of self-doubt followed his serious knee injury, but the Arsenal forward believes he can emerge from the setback stronger than before.

The Brazilian made his first appearance in 332 days during Arsenal’s 3-0 Champions League win at Club Brugge on Wednesday, marking an important milestone in a long and difficult recovery process.

Jesus ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee earlier this year and came close to capping his return with a goal, only for his late effort to come back off the crossbar.

Before his injury, he had scored six times in seven matches and appeared to be rediscovering his best form, making the timing of the blow especially painful.

Reflecting on his time out, the 28-year-old described the mental challenges he faced. “It was 11 months, 11 months of doubting yourself,” he said. “My first thoughts were like, why? You always keep questioning why and 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 happened.

“So every single day for the first two or three weeks, I asked why it happened to me. And then I understood 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.

“If I didn’t hear the Bible every single day, I am 100 percent sure I would not have believed I could come back stronger than ever. Now I believe even more, because I’m a son of God.”

His return represents a significant boost for Mikel Arteta, who travelled to Belgium with eight senior players unavailable due to injury or illness.

Despite those absences, Arsenal recorded their sixth consecutive European victory, putting them in a strong position to secure automatic qualification for the knockout stages.

Jesus is expected to feature again on Saturday when Wolves visit the Emirates, with Arsenal’s Premier League lead now down to two points after Manchester City’s midweek win.

The forward said he is ready to play his part in the title push. “The clubs I have played for, I had my role there and I always help in a good way. Obviously when you are not playing it’s more difficult, I’m not going to lie.

“I’m not a kid anymore, I’m 28, it sounds young, but Max [Dowman] is 15, Ethan [Nwaneri] is 18, Myles [Lewis-Skelly] is 19. More than experience, I can bring some difference to the players we have.

“In my career I had amazing moments, I have won amazing titles. 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.”