Gabriel Jesus scores after 85 seconds with two goals on Arsenal debut
Posted by  badge Boss on Jul 08, 2022 - 09:31PM
Gabriel Jesus scored twice on his unofficial Arsenal debut (Photo: Getty)

Gabriel Jesus took just 85 seconds to score his first goal as he bagged a brace on his unofficial debut in a friendly win over FC Nurnberg.

The £45million summer signing was left out of the starting XI against the team from Germany’s second tier, but after the Gunners found themselves 2-0 down at half-time, Mikel Arteta brought Jesus on in one of four changes.

His impact was instantaneous, with the striker driving the ball towards the box before playing a nice one-two with Eddie Nketiah and beating the keeper from a tight angle.

Arsenal would run riot for the rest of the half, with a Mohamed Elneny screamer drawing them level, before two own goals gave them the lead.

Nurnberg pulled one back in the 73rd minute to set up a tense finale, but just moments later Jesus neatly flicked in his second from a Gabriel Martinelli cross.

Jesus had been a long-time target for Arsenal, and while this is only a friendly against a side that they were expected to beat, it does seem like money well spent at this stage.

Arteta named a starting XI with a blend of youth and experience, as new signing Matt Turner began in goal alongside 17-year-old defender Reuell Walters, while another summer addition Marquinhos also coming off the bench.

Kieran Tierney was subbed off after just half-an-hour, initially worrying fans that the left-back was injured again, but it seems that it was in fact a planned substitution as the Scotland international works his way back to full fitness.

Curiously, the team also included several players who Arsenal are reportedly trying to sell this summer, namely Hector Bellerin, Pablo Mari, Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Nicolas Pepe.

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