Arteta provides Gabriel Jesus injury update as 'totally unrealistic' target revealed

Mikel Arteta provided an update on when Gabriel Jesus would return to the Arsenal first team.

The £45million marquee summer signing suffered a serious knee injury while playing for Brazil at the World Cup.

However, Jesus’ understudy, Eddie Nketiah, has thrived in the striker's absence.

The 23-year-old has netted four goals in five appearances for the Gunners since the Premier League restart, including a crucial last-minute winner against Manchester United last Sunday.

Nevertheless, If the Gunners are to continue their march to the title they will want Jesus to return as quickly as possible.

Arsenal are currently top of the table, some five points clear of last season’s champions Manchester City in second place, and Arteta will need his full squad available if the Gunners are to claim their first Premier League trophy since 2004.

Gabriel Jesus’ return?

Arteta said in his Wednesday press conference that he hoped Jesus will be fit in “weeks, not months”.

Speaking to the press Arteta said: “With him, I don’t know. He wants to be next week. It’s totally unrealistic.

“He’s pushing and driving everyone to the limits. Hopefully, it will be weeks not months.”

Arteta on new signings

Arsenal have signed Brighton’s Leandro Trossard and Spezia’s Jakub Kiwior in the January window.

However, the Gunners boss did not rule out bringing in new additions, citing the midfield as a position the club were targeting.

“If there’s anything else available that can make us better we’ll look at it,” Arteta added.

“Well, we need some more cover in midfield ideally if we can but obviously, in this market, it’s very complicated to do that.

“But as I always say the most important thing is that we get the performances and the time on the pitch that we need with the players we have available today that are already really good.

“[With Trossard] I see a player that is willing to make things happen.

“[Kiwior] gives us more cover. We’ve been with three CBs which is very short. Jakub can play in different roles and is a versatile player and he’ll strengthen the team.”

Topics: Football, Transfers, Gabriel Jesus, Mikel Arteta, Arsenal, Eddie Nketiah

Chris Byfield

Sport journalist with experience writing on football, rugby, boxing and the Olympics. I'm also a Crystal Palace fan. Please don't hold this against me.