Manchester City striker Gabriel Jesus became the first player since September 2020 to score four goals in a Premier League match on Saturday afternoon.
City’s Brazilian forward got four of the Sky Blues’ goals during their 5-1 win over Watford at the Etihad Stadium as Pep Guardiola’s side took a step nearer to winning their fourth title in the space of five years, with Rodri getting the other goal that was set up by Jesus.
The performance came shortly after reports from The Athletic suggested that Arsenal were lining up a bid to sign Jesus from City in a bid to bolster up their forward line for the 2022/23 season, with the 25-year-old starting just 17 times in England’s top-flight this term.
After a man of the match display against the Hornets, Jesus was asked about recent links with a potential move to the Emirates Stadium, with the City forward saying it was not the time to discuss it after such an enjoyable performance from home.
“Not time to think about this,” said Jesus. “You expect me to say this and it’s true. Not time to think about this, now is the best moment of the season.
“I want to enjoy it, keep focussed on my teammates to fight for the Premier League. I’ve won with my teammates three times already so I know how it feels and I want to again. We have a tough game on Tuesday against Real Madrid, a tough opponent. That’s my focus.”
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Jesus’ performance on Saturday saw him get five of his 15 direct goal contributions (goals and assists) for the season so far in the Premier League. Jesus has scored seven goals and added eight assists.
Of Arsenal players, only Bukayo Saka (11 goals, five assists) has more direct goal contributions in England’s top-flight this season. Saka has played 1,046 more league minutes than Jesus , however.
The Brazilian’s goal tally of seven for a Premier League season is the joint-lowest of his English career, having also scored the same number in the 2016/17 and 2018/19 seasons. However, in the first, he made just ten appearances and in the other, he started just eight times.
Since joining City for £27m in January 2017, Jesus has scored 93 goals in 230 appearances in all competitions. In the Premier League, the forward has netted 57 times in 155 games, averaging a goal every 157 minutes in the competition.
Of players in Premier League history, Jesus’ goals per minute ratio would put him 16 th on the all-time best return rate based on minutes played in the competition.
Former City teammate Sergio Aguero, who retired shortly after signing for Barcelona earlier this season, averaged a goal every 108 minutes in the Premier League.
