Gabriel Jesus has returned to training and Mikel Arteta has provided an injury update on the Brazil forward, while also discussing his future at Arsenal
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta talks to Gabriel Jesus during a training session
Mikel Arteta has spoke highly of returning Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus(Image: Stuart MacFarlane, Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
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Mikel Arteta has addressed the future of Gabriel Jesus at Arsenal following the striker's return to training this week. Jesus sustained a cruciate ligament injury during an FA Cup match against Manchester United in January this year and has been absent from the Gunners' squad since then.
The Brazil international is now just two months away from having been sidelined for a full year of football. However, his rehabilitation appears to be progressing well, with Jesus rejoining first-team training.
Jesus has expressed his appreciation in an Instagram post featuring a photograph of him smiling during a session. The caption reads: "Getting used to it again. So happy. God is great."
Ahead of Arsenal's fixture against Sunderland, Arteta spoke about when Jesus might return to action. "I don't know, now it's about making the steps day by day in a different surrounding," the Gunners' manager said.
"Obviously, he's been doing everything on his own; now he's got players around him, very competitive players around him, and see how he copes with that. But he's full of energy; I love the reaction of all his teammates when he first joined us, and yeah, great to have him back."
Having brought in Viktor Gyokeres during the summer, Arteta now possesses a deep pool of attacking options, with Kai Havertz, Jesus, and midfielder-turned-striker Mikel Merino all vying for playing time. Arteta has thrown his support behind Jesus, acknowledging the need for his presence in the squad.
He stated: "Yes, because we haven't had [our forwards] and now we don't have Viktor, and we haven't had Kai again for three months or many other forwards. Unfortunately, that's becoming something that consistently happens, so we need those options and what an option to have with Gabi."
Discussing what Jesus brings to the team, Arteta added: "A player who is very unpredictable, full of energy, and super competitive. A player who comes from a context of difficulty in the last few seasons, due to various nasty injuries, so the level of hunger and desire that he is going to bring to the team is going to be amazing.
Gabriel Jesus of Arsenal during a training session
Gabriel Jesus returned to training this week(Image: Stuart MacFarlane, Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
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"So I'm thrilled to have him. I think he's going to add something extra to the team that we don't have, and make sure that very soon we see him on that pitch making an impact for the team."
Jesus could return to the pitch by mid-December. Until then, Arteta will aim to extend Arsenal's lead at the top of the Premier League with a victory against Sunderland.
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