Arsenal coach confirms that the Brazilian forward, having overcome injury, will fight to return to the starting eleven.
Amid Arsenal’s ongoing battle with injuries, Mikel Arteta does not want to lose any of his proven players. He dismissed speculation about Gabriel Jesus potentially leaving the club in January.
The 28-year-old Brazilian forward, sidelined for a long period, recently returned to action. On Wednesday, he came on as a substitute in the 62nd minute during a 3-0 Champions League win over Club Brugge.
Jesus had been out since last January, recovering from knee surgery, and returned after 11 months. After a tough rehabilitation process, he now faces another intense challenge: fighting his way back into the starting lineup.
In the meantime, Arsenal have coped well with injuries. Vitinha Yeakere has returned after a knee injury, and Kai Havertz is also back on the road to full fitness. Mikel Merino has performed admirably as a makeshift center forward during this period.
With a World Cup spot for Brazil at stake, regular playing time is essential for Jesus. Speculation about a possible January exit had started to circulate, but Arteta put those rumors to rest at Friday’s press conference.
“No, I am not considering anything like that, especially given our current situation. I think Gabi still has a lot to offer the team, and he has shown that from the first minute. He has worked incredibly hard to reach this point, and his focus is on being with us,” Arteta said.
“It’s certain that a player of his quality, who has given us so much and plays with such energy, as he did that day, will be desperate to play in the starting eleven and will take that as his goal.”
Arsenal will face Wolverhampton on Saturday. Arteta’s side sits at the top of the table with 33 points from 15 matches.
