Arsenal are reportedly hopeful of having Gabriel Jesus back to the first-team squad before the international break at the end of March.
The 25-year-old, who joined Arsenal from Manchester City last summer, had a strong start to the 2022-23 season, scoring five goals and providing seven assists in 20 games in all competitions.
However, Jesus has not played for Arsenal since November 12 due to a knee injury suffered while on international duty with Brazil at the 2022 World Cup.
Jesus had successful knee surgery at the end of last year and has since been recovering at Arsenal’s London Colney training center.
The striker revealed on January 22 that he may be in a position to return from injury within the next “four or five weeks” during a talk with UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov at the Emirates following Arsenal’s 3-2 win over Manchester United.
Mikel Arteta delivered a positive report on Jesus’ recuperation prior to Arsenal’s 1-0 win away to Leicester City in the Premier League on Saturday.
According to football.london, the Gunners are hopeful that Jesus will return to the first-team squad before the international break begins at the end of March.
Arsenal has six games to prepare for in March, with the final one coming on March 19 at home against Crystal Palace.
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The Gunners will then have to wait 13 days before returning to action on April 1 against Leeds United at home.
Arteta has fared well without Jesus in attack, with Eddie Nketiah, Gabriel Martinelli, and Leandro Trossard all given opportunities as central strikers in his absence.
In other injury news, Thomas Partey returned from a thigh injury to play as a substitute in Arsenal’s triumph over Leicester, and the Ghanaian is likely to play against Everton on Wednesday.
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