Mikel Arteta gave short shrift to a question about selling one of his squad in the January transfer window, with Arsenal struggling to cope with the number of injuries they're suffering
Head Coach Mikel Arteta of Arsenal talks during a press conference
Mikel Arteta doesn't want to sell Gabriel Jesus(Image: Alex Bierens de Haan/UEFA via Getty Images)
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Mikel Arteta is hopeful that Gabriel Jesus can become a crucial part of his title-chasing Arsenal squad after returning from injury. Jesus is back in contention for selection after spending 11 months on the sidelines following a serious knee injury.
The striker came off the bench in Arsenal’s 3-0 win over Club Brugge in the Champions League on Wednesday night. It’s a case of top plays bottom in the Premier League on Saturday evening as Arsenal host Wolves, giving Arteta a good chance to ease Jesus back into action.
His return comes at a good time for the Gunners boss, who could be without eight players due to injury. Attacker Kai Havertz remains on the sidelines, while Leandro Trossard is a doubt – and the busy Christmas period shows why having a big squad is so important in the title race, with just two points separating Arsenal from second-placed Manchester City.
That is why Arteta wouldn’t even consider offloading Jesus, who is under contract until June 2027, in the January transfer window. Asked in Friday’s pre-match press conference if Arsenal would consider selling him, Arteta responded: “No, I don't consider that, especially with the situation that we have right now.
“I think Gabriel has a lot to offer to the team and he's proven that straight away in the first minute that he was available to play. He's put so much to be in this position again and now the focus is to be with us.”
Not only is Arteta not giving thought to letting Jesus go, he is sure that the Brazilian can challenge Viktor Gyokeres for the role of first-choice striker. “Yes. A player of his quality, a player that has given us so much,” he said when asked about the possibility.
“He comes with the energy that he came the other day. He's certainly a player that has to be pushing and aiming for that. That's for sure.”
Gabriel Jesus has discussed his Arsenal injury return and fitness hopes for the Christmas period
Gabriel Jesus is back fit for Arsenal(Image: (Photo by David Winter/Shutterstock))
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The player himself is delighted to be back after such a long and difficult spell on the sidelines. "So with 11 months of helping myself and then feeling scared to come back different, maybe with some limitations, just to walk outside and then play with the boys, I'm so pleased,” he said after the Brugge game. “I feel more than ready. So, I'm here to say God saved my life."
He will be needed in the coming weeks, with Arsenal facing Wolves, Everton, Brighton and Aston Villa in the Premier League, with a Carabao Cup quarter-final against Crystal Palace sandwiched in between.
Arteta is not expecting a walkover against Wolves, despite the club sitting rock bottom with two points from 15 matches. “In any Premier League match and especially against a team that is fighting against results,” he said.
“I know the manager really well and how he's going to push and get the players ready to do that. So from our side, we're going to go full gas from the beginning because we know what we have to do.”
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