Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus returned to full training on Wednesday in a huge boost to his side's title battle with Manchester City.
This season's Premier League title race looks set to be a two-horse race between City and the Gunners, following Manchester United's 7-0 humbling at Liverpool which left them 14 points off the top with 13 games left. Pep Guardiola's side made it four wins and a draw in their last five with Saturday's win over Newcastle United, initially closing the gap on their rivals to two points.
And that gap looked likely to remain tight going into Sunday, with Arsenal 2-0 down at home to Bournemouth by the hour mark, before three goals including a 97th-minute winner handed the North London side a dramatic victory and a huge psychological boost.
ALSO READ: Foden and Walker involved in training ahead of Palace
And they have been boosted further by the return of Jesus, who took part in full first-team training for the first time since mid-November. The former City striker was ruled out for over three months after requiring surgery on the medial collateral ligament in his knee while representing Brazil in the World Cup.
Having registered five goals and five assists in his 14 league games for the Gunners beforehand, Jesus' long-term absence was expected to be a huge problem for Arteta. But a combination of Eddie Nketiah, Gabriel Martinelli and January signing Leandro Trossard have filled the gap admirably, while the likes of Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard have stepped up with important goals.
Jesus is expected to join the Arsenal squad for their trip to Portugal to face Sporting Lisbon in the Europa League on Thursday, although his involvement in the game itself is unlikely.
Speaking ahead of his side's win over Bournemouth last week, Arteta hinted at a possible return in the near future: "He's not far now. I don't want to give a timeline but he's doing certain things with the team, certain things outside the team. He's not very close but he is not far at all.
"He's feeling better every day and the doctors are confident with the way the injury is evolving and we are in a good place with him I think."
READ NEXT
