There’s been another positive update regarding the fitness of Gabriel Jesus’ as his comeback gets ever closer.
Arsenal travel to Portugal on Thursday to take on Sporting in the first leg of their round-of-16 Europa League tie and according to The Sun, Gabriel Jesus will travel with the Arsenal squad to take on the Portuguese side.
With Leandro Trossard nursing a short-term muscle injury & Eddie Nketiah facing a late fitness test, it’s a huge boost for Mikel Arteta to have Gabriel Jesus back with the squad.
The Brazilian isn’t expected to feature in the game, but could make the bench & will train with the rest of his teammates out in Portugal as he continues his rehab from the knee injury he picked up in December.
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Jesus also remains a doubt for the fixture on Sunday at Craven Cottage v Fulham, however again could make the squad in some capacity. Crystal Palace on the 19th March could be a more realistic date for Arsenal’s number nine to make his comeback, however if not, then definitely after the international break, Arsenal will have their main man back.
Gabriel Jesus got the Arsenal fans a little excited recently as the 25-year-old was spotted getting involved in the cool down with subs like Kieran Tierney and Jakub Kiwior after the match against Bournemouth last weekend. However the Brazilian is still around one week away from returning to the pitch with Mikel Arteta determined not to rush him back.
The Arsenal boss knows he will need his number nine for the title run-in & wants there to be the lowest chance possible of any injury setback.
After full-time against Bournemouth, Jesus was seen celebrating with teammates on the pitch. After the match, he hugged Mikel Arteta, Emile Smith Rowe, and Reiss Nelson.
Before the Bournemouth match, Mikel Arteta was asked about Gabriel Jesus’ fitness with the boss saying…
“I don’t want to give a timeline, but he’s doing certain things with the team and certain things outside the team still.
He’s not very close, but he’s not very far. He’s feeling better every day and the doctors are feeling confident with how he’s evolving. We are in a good place with him, I think.”
Arsenal’s deadlock response of no timeline remains true. When Jesus got injured, early March was the projection for the striker. However, with Arteta’s caution against long-term injuries & the way the team has been performing without him, Jesus has still not made his return.
Portugal awaits…
