Featured Image Credit: Alamy
Topics: Mikel Arteta, Arsenal, Premier League, Gabriel Jesus, Football
Joe Adams
Topics: Mikel Arteta, Arsenal, Premier League, Gabriel Jesus, Football
Arsenal forward Gabriel Jesus could travel to Portugal for the Gunners' Europa League clash against Sporting Lisbon on Thursday, according to reports.
Jesus has been sidelined since before the World Cup after he required knee surgery.
Arsenal have managed to cope in his absence, maintaining top spot in the Premier League, five points adrift of second-placed Manchester City.
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However, Gunners fans have been eagerly awaiting the 25-year-old's return.
Whilst Mikel Arteta was unwilling to provide a timeline on his recovery, it has been claimed that Jesus could be back for the Gunners' next match.
Although Jesus is unlikely to travel with the squad for Arsenal's Europa League contest against Sporting Lisbon on Thursday, he has not been 'entirely ruled out of the possibility', claims football.london's Kaya Kaynak.
The Brazilian was also spotted doing a cool down with Arsenal's unused substitutes after the Bournemouth game.
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Arteta was quizzed on Jesus' injury ahead of the Bournemouth clash, praising the Brazilian's mentality.
The Arsenal boss said: "I think it’s been pretty straightforward. At the beginning, we were really concerned with the possible extent of the injury because we were talking about a few options there.
"Thankfully it wasn’t that bad, but it was a long-term injury, it required surgery and it’s not [pleasant], especially the first few weeks.
"But knowing Gaby, he’s been through that before. His mentality is incredible and the team has done a really good job with him to put him in the position he’s in today."
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Meanwhile, Arteta has expressed concern for Leandro Trossard after he sustained a groin injury during Arsenal's 3-2 win over Bournemouth on Saturday.
"It is a worry," Mikel Arteta said of the injury in his post-match press conference. "He came to me and said 'I cannot continue, I felt something when I was tracking back after the corner'. We had to take him off and we have to assess him and see how he is."