Arteta said Jesus and other long-time absentees have joined others at the training ground, but added they won’t be part of the game against City
By Kehinde Okeowo
Arsenal boss, Mikel Arteta, has revealed that Gunners striker, Gabriel Jesus is closer to full fitness following the knee injury he sustained whilst on international duty with Brazil at the World Cup in Qatar.
The gaffer also said there are no fresh injury concerns facing his squad ahead of their consequential Premier League clash against Manchester City.
The league leaders are looking to extend their lead at the top of the table to six points with a win against the champions when they meet on Wednesday night.
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Speaking during the pre-match press conference, Arteta told journalists that players with long-term injuries are closer to full fitness.
He, however, said that even though they have joined others in some activities at the training ground, they won’t be part of the encounter against the champions.
He said: “The ones that were long-term like Emile, Reiss and Gabi Jesus are closer. They have started to do some activities and have been outside but they are not ready yet to contribute.”
He further said: “Jesus is doing really well he’s been doing quite a lot of work on the ball already and his rehab is going well,”
When asked to give a definite timeline when the Brazil international will return to full action, Arteta said: “Unfortunately no [with regard to a timeframe]. Ask the doctor maybe he’ll give you one.”
Having suffered medial ligament damage at the World Cup, Jesus returned to London to undergo surgery on his knee, with an expectation that he will be out for at least another month of footballing action.
Speaking to former UFC champion Khabib Nurmagomedov at the Emirates Stadium last month, Jesus admitted he hopes to be back on the pitch in “four to five weeks”.
However, on February 1 the 25-year-old delivered a fresh update on his fitness status, posting a picture on Instagram of himself back on the training pitch.
