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Football London
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Josh Holland

Latest Arsenal injury news as Mikel Arteta handed Sporting CP boost amid Eddie Nketiah setback

Arsenal have no time to rest on their morals. Mikel Arteta's side have rediscovered their monumental form in the last month and could still face another 17 games before the end of the season.

Come June, the Gunners could be winners of their first-ever league and European cup double. A majestic achievement by the north Londoners, but there remains plenty of football still to be played.

Sunday's 3-0 win over Fulham meant Arsenal resumed their five-point lead at the top of the Premier League. An all-round impressive performance was topped off with the return of Gabriel Jesus after three months out to supply Arteta with a new signing-like feeling.

READ MORE: Arsenal handed Premier League title boost as Pep Guardiola makes crucial Man City admission

"Big boost. The first step today. We didn’t know if it was the right game today," Arteta admitted after the game. "He said to me a few days ago ‘I’m still missing something.’ Yesterday I looked in his eyes and he said ‘I’m ready’. I said ‘OK!’ So then we had the opportunity to throw him in.

"It’s that first step to give him the big boost. He looks free, he looks ready and straight away he generated those two big chances. It’s great to have him back."

Thursday’s Europa League last-16 return leg to Sporting CP presents a perfect opportunity for Arteta to hand further minutes for Jesus. The 25-year-old featured for 13 minutes at Craven Cottage and may be an option off the bench earlier in the contest.

Three players who had missed last week's draw in Lisbon all made swift returns to the side. Martin Odegaard and Kieran Tierney missed the first leg with illness while Leandro Trossard became the first player to notch three assists in the first half of an away game in Premier League history.

The trio's return means Arsenal come into Thursday's second leg against Sporting without only two players. Eddie Nketiah has not featured since the win over Everton at the start of March. "We're assessing him," Arteta said last week.

"It's a bit uncertain what will happen with him, to be honest in the training sessions." The Spaniard continued: "Let’s see, let’s keep the options open. He’s very positive about it and hopefully he’ll be fine."

The Hale Ender posted an update on his current rehabilitation progress on Instagram on Monday. However, the blow of Nketiah's absence is somewhat softened by Jesus' return.

Mohamed Elneny is the only other long-term doubt as injury worries ease for the Spaniard.

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