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Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus (28) has made a return to first-team training, providing a much-needed boost to manager Mikel Arteta as the club faces a challenging injury crisis in their attacking ranks, according to Sky Sports.
The Brazilian forward has been out of action since January due to a persistent knee issue but was seen back in full training at London Colney on Thursday. His recovery comes at a crucial time for Arteta, who recently lost summer signing Viktor Gyökeres to a muscle injury sustained during the 2-0 victory over Burnley. Gyökeres is expected to be sidelined until after the international break.
Jesus’s return brings a vital option for Arteta, especially as the team’s forward line has faced significant disruptions in recent weeks. Kai Havertz is still out with a knee injury he picked up on the season’s opening day, while Arteta has had to utilize midfielder Mikel Merino as an emergency striker, a tactic that proved effective midweek as he scored twice in the 3-0 Champions League win against Slavia Prague.
Leading the Premier League by six points, Arsenal is optimistic that Jesus can quickly regain his match fitness, as they look to navigate a challenging winter schedule while pursuing silverware both domestically and in Europe.
GFN | Finn Entwistle