Gabriel Jesus has told his Arsenal team-mates to relish the pressure of the title run-in, insisting it is “the best part of the season”.
Arsenal are now eight points clear of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League after beating Crystal Palace 4-1 on Sunday.
Mikel Arteta’s side now have just 10 games to go and their title charge has been boosted by the return of Jesus. The striker had been out for three months after injuring his knee at the World Cup, but he is now back fit and ready to help Arsenal get over the line.
“Now is, I think in my opinion, the best part of the season,” said Jesus. “When you have deciding games, big games as well, away and at home.
“Now is the time we have to play the same, don’t change, be together and then we will see.
“The team are doing so good. I think no one here is the main man. Everyone is together. When I got injured, we were sure Eddie [Nketiah] could go there and help us - and he did it. [Leandro] Trossard came in and did it as well.
“So everyone is together. To be champions of this big, big competition we need not only 11 players.”
Jesus has admitted it was tough watching from the sidelines when injured, but he stayed close to the squad so he could make an impact.
“I was injured but in my mind I was involved,” he said. “I was like, I need to talk, I need to try to help them with something by talking and seeing the games - so that’s why.
“Over my life, I want to help as many as I can. That helped me a lot. My family as well, my wife, my daughter, my mum, my brothers, my sisters, my friends, everyone close to me helped me a lot. And also here, the people at the club, the players, the staff, the manager helped me a lot.
“I think the most important thing was my mind. I tried to keep focused, keep strong and then comeback fully fit.
“It is not easy to be out. It was a long and very bad injury. I prefer to be on the pitch, running, playing and helping my team-mates.
“The fans have always been good with me - helping me, pushing me. The way they [cheered me] last Sunday against Fulham was amazing. I will never forget that. All I want is to give it back to them on the pitch.”
Jesus may be back, but Arsenal have fresh injury problems. Takehiro Tomiyasu injured his knee on Thursday against Sporting CP and he watched Sunday’s game in a knee brace. He will be assessed on Monday but the outlook is not good.
Centre-back William Saliba will also undergo further assessment on Monday. He missed Sunday with a back injury, although there is more optimism around him than Tomiyasu.
