Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus has taken a significant step forward in his recovery from an ACL injury, as the Brazilian attacker is now working outdoors with the ball at his feet again.
Jesus has been sidelined for a little over seven months due to the devastating rupture he sustained in January's FA Cup third-round defeat to Manchester Unitedat the Emirates.
The former Manchester City attacker had just hit a rich vein of form when he was cruelly sidelined, having notched five goals in two games against Crystal Palace in addition to a New Year's Day strike against Brentford.
Jesus's absence, coupled with Bukayo Saka and Kai Havertz's serious hamstring injuries, proved fatal for Arsenal during a critical period of the season, where they failed to address their attacking weaknesses in the January transfer window.
The Gunners have learned from such mistakes by adding Eberechi Eze, Noni Madueke and Viktor Gyokeres to their ranks this summer, but there may still be a place for Jesus in Mikel Arteta's system.
Jesus posts video as Arsenal striker steps up injury recovery
It’s been seven months of pain, uncertainty, and anxiety. Today, I finally feel light — like a child playing football again.
GOD IS GREAT. ???? pic.twitter.com/nr74tGdtV9
— Gabriel Jesus (@gabrieljesus9) August 24, 2025
The 28-year-old uploaded a video of his recovery to X - formerly known as Twitter - on Sunday evening, showing him taking part in outdoor exercises such as sprints and individual ball work.
The latest development in Jesus's recovery represents a significant step forward for the Brazil international, although it will likely still be another few weeks at the very least before he is given the green light to return to team training.
However, a comeback in the autumn is not beyond the realm of possibility for Jesus, as former Manchester City teammate and Ballon d'Or winner Rodri returned from his own ACL rupture in May following an eight-month rehabilitation period.
Jesus hit the ground running upon his arrival at the Emirates from the Etihad in the summer of 2022, but he has since been plagued by no fewer than three serious knee injuries, the first of which he sustained at the 2022 World Cup.
The Brazil international has come up with 26 goals and 20 assists in 96 appearances for the Gunners in all competitions, having a direct hand in 18 goals in 26 Premier League games during his debut campaign in 2022-23.
What does the future hold for Jesus at Arsenal?
Arsenal's Gabriel Jesus reacts on December 21, 2024
When Jesus is both fit and firing on all cylinders, the four-time Premier League winner can often act as Arsenal's chaos merchant, jinking his way past challenges in the penalty area to create scoring positions for himself or his teammates.
Jesus was appropriately resurrected during last year's Christmas period before his cruel twist of fate, and after that incredibly unfortunate turn of events for the Brazilian attacker, Arsenal have moved on.
Gyokeres got off the mark with a brilliant brace in Saturday's 5-0 thumping of Leeds United, while Madueke and Eze bring playmaking qualities in abundance, and Arteta still has Havertz, Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli in the ranks as well.
Of course, the severity of Havertz's own knee issue is still unknown, and if the German's injury proves to be serious too, then Jesus could prove to be a useful deputy for Gyokeres in the second half of the campaign.
However, the 28-year-old is not getting any younger, has a poor fitness record and is out of contract in 2027, so a parting of the ways at the end of the season may be the best course of action.
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