Gabriel Jesus returns for Arsenal after 11 months out in under-21s victory over Man United | OneFootball

Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus returned to action again for the second time in 11 months on Saturday in the Gunners’ under-21s behind-closed-doors friendly against Manchester United.

The Emirates Stadium club took on Aston Villa away from home yesterday, with manager Mikel Arteta and his men suffering a 2-1 defeat.

Jesus and Max Dowman did not join their Arsenal teammates, featuring for the under-21s instead against their Red Devils’ counterparts at St George’s Park.

The Brazilian took part in a behind-closed-doors friendly last week against Watford, and it is a huge boost for him to feature again yesterday having been an unused substitute in the last two first-team games against Chelsea and Brentford.

Arsenal ran out 3-0 winners, with Dowman and Charles Sagoe Jr getting on the scoresheet.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain also featured for Arsenal having been training at the club’s facilities with the under-21s since November.

The former Arsenal midfielder has been a free agent since Turkish Super Lig club Besiktas terminated his contract back in August.

He made a cameo yesterday and will be hoping to secure a move soon as he eyes a return to English football.

Arsenal are back in action on Wednesday with a trip to Belgium to take on Club Brugge in the Champions League.

It remains to be seen whether Jesus could feature in the game, but he could be available in the Gunners’ next Premier League match against Wolverhampton Wanderers at home next Saturday.

He was stretchered off in the FA Cup third round defeat to Man United on January 12 and had to undergo surgery after rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his left knee.

Jesus will be desperate to return to action in the coming weeks, and having him back will be a much-needed attacking boost for Arsenal.

The 28-year-old has battled with injuries since moving to the North London club from Manchester City in July 2022.

He will hope to convince Arteta and others of his quality in the remaining months left in the season, and it will be interesting to see how he fares as the Gunners look to clinch the Premier League title.