Arsenal will have key players back in the frame this weekend (Image: Getty)
Arsenal will be hoping to maintain their perfect form before heading to the Stadium of Light to face Sunderland on Saturday night. The Gunners have been in great form of late, remaining unbeaten in 13 games and recording eight consecutive clean sheets.
Mikel Arteta’s side are currently six points clear at the top of the Premier League. The north London club’s 3-0 victory over Slavia Prague in the Champions League puts them level on points in the competition with fellow unbeaten sides Bayern Munich and Inter Milan. Arteta recently praised his extraordinary team following their European victory.
“Emotionally, I think we handled it very well. It shows our consistency and we dominated defensively against a very difficult team to play against,” he said. “We changed four players tonight from the weekend and they all performed very well. Overall, it was a really productive night.”
Here, Express Football brings you all the latest developments to emerge from Emirates Stadium ahead of this weekend’s Premier League fixtures.
Injured star makes comeback
Gabriel Jesus has made his long-awaited return to Arsenal training after 10 months out due to injury.
Gabriel Jesus returns to first team training (Image: Getty)
The player was absent from the first team after sustaining an anterior cruciate ligament injury in a game against Manchester United in January. At the time, Jesus had scored six goals in seven games for the Gunners, but was heartbroken by the setback.
The 28-year-old now returns as the team prepares for the game against Sunderland. In footage of the training session shared on the club’s social media, one excited supporter wrote to X: “Jesus is back for Christmas!”
During a personal training program while recovering from injury, Jesus dismissed any suggestions of a quick return to the starting eleven. In October he said: “My knee is responding well and I look forward to being part of the team again soon and getting back to doing what I love.”
“It’s been too long. An injury like this is very long, so you have to break up the recovery period into small moments. So now I’m at a stage where I have to restrain myself a little bit because I’m doing a great job off the pitch, but it’s difficult because I have to make sure I don’t rush over the line too much.”
“Once you see the end, it’s important not to push too hard and keep your feet on the floor, so you’ll be ready when the time comes.”
But the striker could be even closer to making his long-awaited return after acknowledging messages from supporters on social media. “Hello Gooners. Yes, it’s me here. It’s my second day out with the boys. I’m very happy and can’t wait to see you in the Emirates. Take care,” Jesús said in the video.
Arteta is also pleased with Jesús’ progress in his comeback from injury, adding: “Right now he’s taking it one step at a time in a different environment. He’s got competitive players around him now. Let’s see how he deals with that. He’s full of energy. I love the reaction from his team-mates.”
Arsenal youngster released by England
Miles Lewis-Skelly has been left out of Thomas Tuchel’s latest England squad after receiving a prior warning over lack of playing time. The promising teenager is among some shocking exclusions from the selected group, alongside Morgan Gibbs-White and Ollie Watkins.
Miles Lewis-Skelly left out of latest England squad (Image: Getty)
Lewis-Skelly featured in the Three Lions’ international set-up in October, but Tuchel warned the then 19-year-old that he would need to work harder to maintain his place in camp.
Last month, the German player said: “Just being a good citizen in camp isn’t enough all year long. He was a very good player in camp and a very good teammate in camp. But just being a good teammate in camp might not be enough to stay with us all year.”
“He has to perform regularly at club level. He got credit for his work in the last camp. We accelerated his career, so we were convinced that we should take care of him and appoint him. After calling him up last season, it was our responsibility. So we will stick to this.”
Tuchel had previously warned the defender about game time. (Image: Getty)
The defender has only played 86 minutes for Arsenal this season, with Riccardo Calafioli the favorite to fill the left-back position.
Speaking about the player’s exclusion from the England squad, Arteta said: “That’s true. We’re here to support, to help each other and to take stock of the situation properly. So don’t look for a second at what’s happening to us, because maybe today it’s happening for a good reason.”
