Gabriel Jesus making up for lost time as magic moments fire Arsenal to Champions League victory
Arsenal fans famously sing about Gabriel Jesus turning water into wine and, with a performance like this against Sevilla, it is little wonder they think he can make miracles happen.
In the space of 10 minutes either side of half-time, Jesus produced two moments of magic to fire Arsenal to victory and get their Champions League campaign back on track.
Before that, this game had been a drab affair and it was fittingly played out in the pouring rain.
Neither side had been able to create much, bar Jesus setting up an early chance for Gabriel Martinelli, and the sides looked set to go in level at the break.
Jesus, however, had other ideas. Receiving the ball near the halfway line from a corner, he spun two defenders with a Cruyff turn that left them, and the whole stadium, looking one way instead of the other.
The pitch opened up for the Brazilian after that and he played a perfectly-weighted pass to the onrushing Martinelli, who rounded the goalkeeper to score.
Martinelli wheeled away in delight after marking his Champions League debut with a goal, but he turned to see his team-mates huddled by the halfway line.
They were all mobbing Jesus, with even David Raya sprinting out of his goal to join in the celebrations. It was a goal that typifies what Jesus brings. He is not the out-and-out goalscorer that some Arsenal fans crave, but he knits the attack together.
His relationship with Martinelli is particularly important. Throughout last season they struck up a brilliant understanding and the early evidence is it will continue this year.
Injury has prevented the pair playing together and, judging by this win over Sevilla, they are eager to make up for lost time. Jesus seemed to visibly lift after his sumptuous assist, playing with the kind of confidence and swagger that makes him such a threat.
Mikel Arteta has described him as someone who brings “chaos” to the attack and Sevilla did not know how to handle him.
After setting up the first, Jesus scored the second with yet more play of the highest quality. The Brazilian cut in from the left and curled the ball into the top corner. This time, the entire Arsenal team and bench mobbed the striker.
Jesus’ evening tailed off after that, with the striker losing Nemanja Gudelj at a corner and allowing him to score. Then, 10 minutes before the end, he went down holding his right hamstring and was taken off for Eddie Nketiah.
After a performance like this, Arteta will be praying it is nothing serious.