Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is close to a fitness boost.placeholder image
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is close to a fitness boost. | Getty Images
Mikel Arteta could soon have another attacking option at his disposal as a winger nears his return.
Arsenal winger Noni Madueke is expected to return to first team training soon, well ahead of the initial rehab schedule following a knee injury.
The Gunners paid £52 million to sign the England international from Chelsea this summer but he has only managed to make six appearances for the side. His last minutes came in the 1-1 draw with Manchester City last month.
GiveMeSport report that Madueke’s professionalism and focus has been noted by coaching staff at Arsenal and helped him make quick progress in his recovery. The London outfit are expected to be cautious in reintegrating the player but the plan is for ‘several controlled sessions’ now before a return to first team training.
Noni Madueke progressing ahead of schedule after injury
Madueke is yet to score or assist for Arsenal but Mikel Arteta was positive when speaking about his impact earlier this term. He said: "I can talk about what I've seen and what I have experienced and I think the welcoming that our supporters gave to Noni from day one it was incredible. But our supporters, they've been exceptional and rightly so, because he's an unbelievable player."
Arteta had used Madueke on both the right wing and left wing earlier this season with the player handed minutes in all of the side’s first five league matches of the season. The winger also scored his first goal for England during the September international break, finding the back of the net in the 5-0 win over Serbia.
Meanwhile, Arsenal supporters have been handed a new clue as to the future of striker Gabriel Jesus. The 28-year-old has not played this season as he continues to recover from an ACL injury picked up in January.
Gabriel Jesus transfer update
With Viktor Gyokeres now at the club, even when fit, Jesus could be third in the pecking order behind the Swede and Kai Havertz. That had led to suggestions that he could look to leave the club in January in search of more minutes.
However, transfer specialist Sacha Tavolieri believes that, despite interest from his home country, Jesus is going to choose to stay and fight for his place at Arsenal. His current contract doesn’t expire until 2027 and, reportedly, the player does not see himself leaving the club before then.
In other news, Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler names 'good' Arsenal player who impressed him.
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