Mikel Arteta contradicted! Gabriel Jesus insists he did NOT ask to be subbed off during Arsenal's Champions League win over Sevilla and plays down hamstring issue

Gabriel Jesus appeared to contradict Mikel Arteta when insisting he did not ask to be subbed off during Arsenal's Champions League win over Sevilla.

WHAT HAPPENED? The Brazilian forward fired Arsenal to a 2-0 lead in the 53rd minute after setting up Gabriel Martinelli for the opener in first-half stoppage time. Although Nemanja Gudelj reduced the deficit five minutes later, it was too little too late stop the Gunners from picking up the three points at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan. However, Jesus was hooked in the 81st minute as Arteta decided to replace him with Eddie Nketiah after the striker felt discomfort in his hamstring while challenging for a loose ball.

WHAT THEY SAID: After the match, Arteta insisted to TNT Sports: «He asked straight away to be subbed, which is not good news because Gabi is not a player who does that at all.»

However, Jesus denied that he had asked to be replaced and claimed that he «never wants to go out». When quizzed on his injury, the Brazilian replied: «Well, let’s see. Exhausted? Yeah I was tired to be honest. But I never want to go out, you know? Obviously I always respect what the manager decides but it was not the case, unluckily, unfortunately. But let’s see what it [the injury] is.»

THE BIGGER PICTURE: The 26-year-old forward believes that the injury is not serious and hopes that the scan results will be positive. «I did some tests with the physio, looks not that big. But let’s see. I have a scan in the next few days, maybe tomorrow or the day after, let’s see how it is. But I’m pretty sure it will be nothing,» he added.

IN TWO PHOTOS:

WHAT NEXT? It remains to be seen whether Arteta will risk Jesus against Sheffield United in Arsenal's next match in the Premier League.