Arsenal’s attack could be about to get a big boost – and it comes in the form of one of their most important players.
Gabriel Jesus ready for long-awaited return to Arsenal
Brazilian forward Gabriel Jesus is close to making a long-awaited return after sustaining a serious knee injury against Manchester United in January.
The 28-year-old striker, who shone in the Premier League with Manchester City before joining Arsenal, has not featured since that FA Cup clash, leaving him to watch the club’s struggles from the sidelines for nine months. The goal line is finally in sight.
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Arteta: ‘Excited to have him back’
Manager Mikel Arteta was thrilled to see Jesus return to full training. “I think he adds something to the team that we don’t have,” he said. “You’ll soon see him impacting the team on the pitch.”
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Jesus has completed the final stages of his rehabilitation, transitioning from solo action to returning to the team and testing his fitness against top players in training sessions. Arteta really likes what he’s seen so far. “He’s full of energy. The reaction from his teammates when he came back was great. It’s great to have him back.”
Just before the injury, Jesus was in great shape. He was named Arsenal Player of the Month in December after scoring six goals in his last four starts and was a forward who presses, creates and scores. Goals aren’t the only thing Arsenal are missing. It’s Jesus’ movement, his ability to drag defenders with him, and his relentless energy in the press. That was missing from a team that has at times struggled to break through the Premier League’s stubborn defences.
Jesus knows exactly what he can put back in the lineup.
“I always believed in myself. Even when I wasn’t scoring, I was opening up spaces and running in behind.” The path back wasn’t easy. Jesus admitted that this was the biggest injury of his career, arriving at a moment when he felt everything was perfect on and off the pitch.
What blessings helped him get through it? This summer, he became a father for the second time. “God gave me this challenge… God knows I’m strong enough to come back.” Physically, he says his knee is responding well. But the last step is the most difficult.
“It’s difficult when you can see the end. You have to stay calm. When the time comes, you’ll be ready.” Jesus has already missed 38 games and Arsenal have been forced to rotate up front, relying on Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz and Leandro Trossard for scoring roles.
The Gunners remain on pace near the top of the Premier League and are in the knockout stages of the Champions League. However, without the Brazilians causing chaos around opposing defenders, their attack looked less fluid and explosive.
