Wayne Rooney hoping ‘clever’ Arsenal star is left out against Man Utd

Wayne Rooney was massively impressed by Gabriel Jesus’ performance in Arsenal’s 3-1 win over Inter Milan and hopes to see the ‘clever’ forward drop to the bench again for Sunday’s clash with Manchester United.

Mikel Arteta made the tough call to leave out Viktor Gyokeres in favour of a fit-again Jesus at the San Siro – and the decision proved a masterstroke for the visitors.

The Brazilian struck twice – either side of an 18th-minute rocket from Petar Sucic – to give the Gunners a slender advantage at the halfway stage away to last year’s runners-up.

Substitute Gyokeres beat Yan Sommer with a well-taken strike to increase the deficit in the 84th minute and the visitors held firm to guarantee themselves a place in the knockout phase of the competition.

The result saw Arsenal’s lead at the top of the league phase table widen to six points, with second-placed Bayern Munich facing Union Saint-Gilloise tomorrow night.

Another resolute Arsenal performance comes just five days out from what promises to be a thriller at home to Manchester United, who are also brimming with confidence after a shock derby day win.

But Arsenal’s defeat of Inter also raises plenty of questions when it comes to selection for Arteta, especially in attack, where the Spaniard now has three strikers vying for one spot in Kai Havertz, Gyokeres and Jesus.

‘It’s a dream night. I always dreamed of being a footballer and I watched when I was a kid,’ Jesus told Amazon Prime after his side’s win.

‘I watched a lot of Serie A, so to be here in this stadium and score here is tears in my eyes because I always dreamed of being here.

‘There is always a reason that things happen even whether it’s good things or difficult things. I learned that during my 11 months out of the field.’

The former Manchester City attacker added: ‘It is always difficult to play against Inter Milan. We came here last season and lost.

‘Tonight we played better than them, we controlled them but they are a top team and they attack. We scored at the end and got the three points.

‘We have to keep going because we have another one at the weekend.’

Later on in the interview, Jesus was asked about his chances of keeping hold of his place in the side – but the Brazilian refused to place any more added pressure on Arteta.

‘Everyone wants to start. I am a very respectful guy,’ he said.

‘I am not a kid anymore, I am 28, so I understand football.

‘I am very happy Vik [Gyokeres] came on and scored a goal. I am so happy I scored and Vik scored. I am confident Kai will score when he gets the chance.’

Rooney was somewhat critical of Jesus’ flat-out refusal to send a message of intent to Arteta in his post-match interview with Amazon Prime.

In the same position, the ex-Manchester United and England said he would have been banging on Arteta’s door and forcefully putting forward his case to start against the Red Devils.

Asked who he would least like to face out of Jesus, Gyokeres and Havertz as a United fan, Rooney replied: ‘Probably Gabriel Jesus I think, just with Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez.

‘His anticipation and his little movements inside the penalty box, he’s a very clever player.

‘If I was Gabriel Jesus now, I’d be there now saying, “I want to start the game on Sunday!”

‘He’s put himself in a position where he’s come here, he’s scored two goals, he’s played really well tonight. So if I was him, I’d be putting it in the manager’s mind that I really want to play.

‘Of course, you respect your team-mates, but you want to be playing in those big games.’

Rooney added: ‘Mikel Arteta is going to see that interview from Gabriel Jesus and that was an opportunity for Gabriel Jesus.

‘If that was me, I’d be saying to Mikel Arteta, “I want to play on Sunday! I’ve just scored two goals at the San Siro, I’ve helped win is the game and I want to be in that starting line-up.”‘

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