Arsenal are set to receive a huge boost in the final few games of the season as Gabriel Jesus looks set to return from his knee injury. The Brazilian was key to the Gunners' early season push for the title this season, adding plenty of quality after joining from Manchester City.
Jesus' form even earned him a call-up to the Brazil national team for the World Cup, though a knock would end his competition early. The worst was feared back in north London as it was confirmed that the forward required surgery and faced months out of action to recover.
Fast forward to March and the side have continued their start, sitting top of the table and five points clear of second-placed City. While the Gunners have thrived, the return of Jesus would add even further quality to the team, with Mikel Arteta confirming that his recovery is ramping up.
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“He’s [Jesus] progressing really well,” Arteta said in February. “He’s doing more and more on the field and he’s not reacting [negatively], so that’s really positive. We want to have him as quickly as possible but also respect the time-frame we got from the doctor and the specialists. He’s really pushing the boundaries right now.”
While there may still be some weeks away from any sort of action for Jesus, the update that he is back training in some capacity comes as a boost. For former player Mikael Silvestre, it is seen as a crucial time for the Brazilian to step up in the race for the Premier League title.
He told bettingexpert: "Gabriel Jesus was missed for sure and I think the team coped well without him. The fact that he’s coming back in the final stages of the competitions brings confidence into the squad. He settled in a fast manner at Arsenal, forming connections with his teammates.
“It’s a big plus at the right moment. Crucial time with three months left for the Premier League table. It’ll be very positive for Arsenal when he’s back."
He added: "His motivation, his desire fits what Arsenal will need in this period of time when they want to win it. I think he has the decision making, the quickness in his movements. He’s a little bit sharper than Eddie and he can twist and turn a bit faster still. He’s a proper threat for every defence because he’s drifting wide and then he comes into the box and becomes a number 9, a finisher in the six yard box, which wasn’t the case at City. He improved over the last few months, before he got injured.”
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