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Jesus' contribution was ultimately not the story of the night, the post-match fallout dominated by the deflating result and the injuries that could leave Arsenal light in defence, but it was a reminder, nonetheless, of his power to elevate the side.
His team-mates deserve immense credit for maintaining Arsenal's position at the top of the Premier League table in his absence, but it was him, more than any other player, who put the wheels in motion for all that has followed at the start of the season.
In all competitions, Arsenal have emerged victorious from 14 of the 17 games Jesus has started, giving them a win rate of 82 per cent, compared to 62 per cent in the games he hasn't.
Tomiyasu and Saliba's injuries may now test Arsenal's defensive depth but, at the other end of the pitch, if Jesus' return is not tantalising enough in itself, it is made even more so by the number of attacking players with whom he can potentially combine.