Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka has opened up on how Gabriel Jesus' imminent return to action can be a massive boost for the squad.
The Gunners have been without their star striker since before the 2022 World Cup in Qatar as he suffered knee medial ligament damage whilst in action for Brazil in the final group game against Cameroon and required surgery that was successfully completed on December 6.
As a result, Jesus has been absent from the Arsenal matchday squad for the last 12 Premier League games in a row, plus the two FA Cup ties against Oxford United and Manchester City as well as Thursday's Europa League round of 16 first-leg clash away at Sporting CP.
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Now, having looked sharp in training on Wednesday morning, there were suggestions that the 25-year-old was going to travel to Portugal with the rest of the squad. However, football.london understands a decision was made for the Brazilian to stay at home instead.
It remains to be seen as and when Jesus is reintegrated considering the north London outfit have three games remaining against Fulham, Sporting CP and Crystal Palace before the season pauses for the first international break of the year but in Xhaka's mind, a return can't come soon enough.
The Switzerland international captained the Gunners in the absence of Martin Odegaard and cited the club's current striker crisis as one of three reasons why having last summer's £45million signing from Man City available for selection again as soon as possible is of huge importance.
"For sure, because we lost Eddie as well, it's much more important to have Gabi back," Xhaka told reporters. "Leo as well is injured and he can play in this position. Step by step, I hope that Gabi will be 100% fit to help this team because we know that he can help us. With his attitude, with his personality, he is very, very important for us."
As mentioned by Xhaka, a 100% fit Jesus can help Arsenal's quest to win the Premier League and Europa League double this season, although it's worth pointing out that Arteta has constantly reiterated the need to give the 25-year-old time to come back to fitness before playing him in any competitive matches.
"We will try not to rush him back. We will try to make a fair assessment between what he needs and when is comfortable and as well giving the team a boost that it's going to need in the next few weeks for sure," he told football.london as recently as Wednesday evening.
"Everything is going well, he needs time as well to get himself that confidence and that physical state that is necessary to compete with a free mind and once he's free to do that, we will throw him in."
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