Arsenal frontman Gabriel Jesus admits goalscoring is not his 'strong point' after extending miserable record for Brazil on his return from injury against Argentina

The Gunners frontman started his first match since picking up a hamstring injury in Arsenal's Champions League clash at Sevilla last month, as Brazil played host to arch-rivals Argentina in a 2026 World Cup qualifying clash. However, despite playing the full ninety minutes at the Maracana stadium, Jesus was unable to find the back of the net. This extends a dire run of scoring just once - in a friendly against South Korea in June 2022 - since his goal in the 2019 Copa America final in July 2019, which Brazil won 3-1.

But Jesus appeared nonchalant when asked by Terra of his miserable record at international level, stating: "There are things that bothered me a lot in the post 2018 World Cup cycle. I was younger, I had a different mind. Today I am a more mature man, more educated, a family man. I understand football is a priority for me, and I know I need to be well to do my best, especially in the Brazilian team. There are things that I don’t control. I train, I look for, I try, I move, I help the team. The goal is inevitable. I believe it’s not my strong point, but I score goals and I’m there to score goal. When I come back, it will happen. It’s work. I work quietly, I’m not one to respond to criticism, I’m not one to be happy for praise. I was, I won’t be anymore.”

Tuesday night was not only disappointing on a personal level for Jesus, but also as a collective for Brazil. Fernando Diniz's side fell to a Nicolas Otamendi goal just after the hour mark to lose their third straight match, and their first ever World Cup qualifier on home soil. The Selecao are suffering something of a crisis up front, with injuries to Neymar, Vinicius Junior and Richarlison putting the responsibility solely on Jesus - who is thus far yet to step up to the plate at international level, at least in terms of goalscoring.

Luckily for the Arsenal forward, club football resumes this weekend. Mikel Arteta will once again be able to call on the Brazilian as his side look to build on a win against Burnley last time out when they travel to Brentford on Saturday.