06 September 2023 , 11:35
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Emotions were running high at the Emirates on Sunday after two second-half stoppage-time Arsenal goals saw the Gunners run out 3-1 winners against Manchester United.
First-half strikes from Marcus Rashford and Martin Odegaard ensured the scores were level at the interval before Declan Rice and Gabriel Jesus netted in the last knockings to send the Red Devils back to Manchester with nothing to show for their efforts. Both last-gasp Gunners goals sparked wild celebrations both on the pitch and on the terraces.
The Arsenal dug-out was cleared, with all of the substitutes running on to the pitch to celebrate with both of the goalscorers. Following Jesus' expertly taken strike to end the tie as a contest, Oleksandr Zinchenko was one of many Gunners stars to mob the Brazilian, but amid all the chaos, some supporters thought that they had spotted a subtle dig from the Ukraine international.
As Zinchenko finally reaches his former Manchester City team-mate Jesus, he appears to put his fingers to his temple and a number of Arsenal fans thought that their left-back was mocking Rashford's trademark celebration. For a brief while, it sparked quite a stir on social media, but replays from differing angles show not all was as it seemed.
Instead of poking fun at United's number 10, the truth is that Zinchenko was actually making a phone gesture, a reference to Jesus' customary goal celebration. The pair are close friends from their shared time at both the Etihad and now the Emirates.
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The moment marked Jesus' first goal for Arsenal this season after the start of the campaign was marred for the Brazil international by more fitness issues which ruled him out of the majority of the opening three games. However, he wasted little time in showcasing his talent against United, leaving Diogo Dalot in a heap on the floor before calmly guiding his strike beyond the onrushing Andre Onana.
As a result, debate has erupted over whether Jesus should start the next game away at Everton, in place of Eddie Nketiah who has already scored twice this term and has led the line from the first whistle in all four of Arsenal's league games.
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Oleksandr Zinchenko celebrates Gabriel Jesus' goal against Man UnitedJesus himself has addressed the conversation and insisted his battle with Nketiah to be the Gunners' main man is a good thing. "First of all, competition is always good - for me and for him," he claimed.
"In all positions when you have competition it's a good thing. From day one, I'm a big fan of Eddie because of the way he works and the way he trains is amazing. It's not easy to come from the academy at a massive club and fight to play in the first team."
As for Zinchenko, the 26-year-old was widely praised for improving Arsenal's performance against United and is likely to keep his place at left-back for the next Gunners game away at Goodison Park on Sunday, September 17.