- Arsenal forward Gabriel Jesus has returned back to full training, Mikel Arteta has confirmed
- The striker has been sidelined for three months due to an injury he suffered at the 2022 FIFA World Cup
- Mikel Arteta has since explained the return plan for the Arsenal striker
Prior to Thursday’s match against Sporting CP, Gabriel Jesus trained with his Arsenal teammates as the striker prepares to play again after a three-month injury layoff.
Jesus helped Arsenal to the top of the Premier League after moving from Manchester City last July, but he hasn’t played since sustaining a knee injury in December.
Jesus returned to light training last month after having surgery for the injury, which he suffered while playing for Brazil at the World Cup.
Prior to Saturday’s thrilling 3-2 victory over Bournemouth, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta claimed that Jesus, 25, was “not far” from making a comeback. However, he added that there was still “much more to do” before the player could be reintegrated into the matchday squad.
Jesus was spotted working out outside with his teammates on Wednesday, though, in preparation for Thursday’s Europa League match against Sporting, which gave Arsenal a significant boost.
Arsenal forward Gabriel Jesus was spotted in training with the rest of the club’s players ahead of the Gunners’ trip to Sporting in the last-16 of the UEFA Europa League. | PHOTO: Mirror |
Only Bukayo Saka (nine) and Martin Odegaard (six) among his Arsenal teammates have more goals and assists this season than Jesus’ five goals and five assists in 14 Premier League games.
Gabriel Jesus’ return plan
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has however maintained that he will not be rushed back into the lineup.
Jesus has been sidelined for a long time after suffering a knee injury while representing Brazil internationally. This injury prevented Jesus from competing in the Doha 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Prior to Thursday’s Europa League round of 16 first-leg match against Sporting CP, the 25-year-old returned to training, stoking rumours of an impending return to the team.
But in a press conference prior to the game, Arteta temperated hopes regarding a potential Jesus return date and insisted the team will take its time to make sure he has completely recovered.
“We will try not to rush him back,” the Spaniard said. “We will try to make a fair assessment between what he needs and when he is comfortable, and as well giving the team a boost that it’s going to need in the next few weeks.
“Everything is going well, he needs time to get that confidence and that physical state that is necessary to compete with a free mind. Once he’s free to do that, we will throw him in.”
Arsenal will play at Fulham on Sunday in the Premier League in an effort to extend their lead over City at the top of the standings after travelling to Lisbon for the first half of their last-16 match against Sporting.
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