Arsenal star provides positive injury update ahead of Crystal Palace clash | OneFootball

Gabriel Jesus provides encouraging injury update as Arsenal striker nears return

Arsenal forward Gabriel Jesus has issued an encouraging update on his recovery from the serious knee injury that has sidelined him since January. The Brazilian international, who ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament earlier this year, says his rehabilitation is progressing strongly but remains cautious about rushing his return.

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Positive progress in Arsenal recovery

Jesus described the setback as “the biggest injury” of his career and admitted the process has tested his patience and mentality. Having scored six goals in seven games before the incident, the timing was particularly cruel, but his latest comments suggest optimism and discipline are guiding his comeback.

“I’m feeling great,” he said. “My knee is responding very well. So now I’m looking forward to being around the team again soon, to come back to do what I love to do.”

The striker added that his current focus is on maintaining control as he nears the end of his rehabilitation. “It’s been too long. An injury like this, one that is so long, you split up the recovery periods into smaller timings. So now I’m at the stage where I need to hold myself back a little bit, because I’m doing great work outside on the pitches, but it’s tricky because I need to not rush myself too hard over the line.”

Mental resilience shaping Jesus’ return

Jesus admitted the mental challenge of being away from football has been significant, particularly given the level he felt he was reaching before the injury. “Even in games when I wasn’t scoring I was opening space and running in behind. But unfortunately I picked up some injuries, and we cannot control that. But this one is the biggest injury I’ve had in my life, and it came when I was living my best moment outside the pitch.”

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That reflective tone has marked a shift in Jesus’ approach to conditioning and workload. “Now I know that it’s never enough. You need to look after yourself even more. You have to be clever to be able to play all the season. That’s what I think now, I need to control training, because I’m a player who always goes outside and gives 100 per cent. If you don’t control it properly, it can be a problem.”

His words capture the maturity of a player aware of his importance to Arsenal’s ambitions but also conscious of the need for balance and long-term fitness.

World Cup ambitions motivating recovery

While Arsenal’s immediate priority is to reintegrate Jesus carefully, the forward has also set his sights on representing Brazil at next summer’s World Cup under Carlo Ancelotti. “Of course I would love to be there for a third,” he told Arsenal’s match-day programme. “But it’s not easy. We have great players, an amazing squad, and it’s only a short period until the World Cup. There is not a lot of time there, but I trust in myself. As soon as I start playing again I will do my best to get involved.”

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For Arsenal, Jesus’ return would represent more than just an attacking boost. His pressing, positional intelligence and leadership were pivotal during their title challenge last season. With the team again competing at the top end of the Premier League and in Europe, his availability could significantly enhance their attacking fluidity and depth.

Arsenal’s outlook on Jesus’ return

Within the club, there is a growing sense of optimism around Jesus’ rehabilitation timeline. While no date has been officially confirmed, sources close to the squad suggest a gradual reintroduction to full training is planned in the coming weeks. Arsenal are expected to prioritise his full recovery rather than acceleration, conscious of the risk associated with knee injuries of this severity.

As the forward himself put it, “When you can see the end it’s important you don’t push too hard, keep my feet on the floor, and then as soon as the time comes, I will be ready.”

If his progress continues at this pace, Arsenal could soon welcome back one of their most influential figures just in time for the critical winter period.