Gabriel Jesus returns to Arsenal training after lengthy injury layoff | OneFootball

Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus (28) has returned to first-team training, offering Mikel Arteta a timely boost as the club navigates an ongoing injury crisis in attack, Sky Sports has reported.

The Brazilian forward has been sidelined since January with a persistent knee problem but was pictured back in full training on Thursday at London Colney. His return could not be better timed for Arteta, who this week lost summer signing Viktor Gyökeres to a muscular injury sustained during the 2–0 win at Burnley. The Swedish striker is not expected to feature again until after the international break.

Jesus’s comeback adds a crucial option for Arteta, whose forward line has been heavily disrupted in recent weeks. Kai Havertz remains out with a knee issue suffered on the opening day of the season, while Arteta has been forced to deploy midfielder Mikel Merino as a makeshift striker, a move that paid off midweek when he scored twice in the 3–0 Champions League victory over Slavia Prague.

Arsenal, currently leading in the Premier League by six points, hope Jesus can regain match sharpness ahead of a demanding winter schedule as they continue to chase silverware both domestically and in Europe.

GFN | Finn Entwistle