Gabriel Jesus puts time frame on return from injury

Arsenal forward Gabriel Jesus has suggested he could return from injury by late February, putting a time frame on his ongoing recovery at around another ‘four or five weeks’.

Jesus proved to be a revelation for the Gunners following his £45m transfer from Manchester City last summer, racking up 11 direct goal involvements in 14 Premier League appearances up to the mid-season break for the 2022 World Cup.

But Jesus hasn’t played for Arsenal since then due to a knee problem sustained while on duty with Brazil at the tournament in Qatar.

It came as a major blow to an Arsenal side mounting a first Premier League title charge in 15 years since last seriously challenging in 2007/08.

Fortunately for Mikel Arteta’s side, Eddie Nketiah has stepped up in Jesus’ absence, scoring four times in five Premier League games since the World Cup – including two in a crucial win over Manchester United this past weekend.

Arsenal have kept going, but having Jesus back when it happens will still be a significant boost.

“Maybe four or five weeks more, I come back,” the four-time Premier League champion said in a video filmed with former UFC fighter Khabib Nurmagomedov.

That kind of time frame could see Jesus available for when Arsenal face Bournemouth at home on 4 March. The prior trip to Leicester on 25 February might just be too soon.

In total, Jesus could still miss six more games, including two against former club Manchester City – one in the FA Cup and one in the Premier League.

On this edition of TCOAG, Harry Symeou reflects on Arsenal's epic win over Manchester United in the Premier League. Eddie Nketiah scores a brace & Bukayo Saka's stunning goal see the Gunners take all three points and overcome yet another huge test. Are Arsenal the real deal? If you can’t see this embed, click here to listen to the podcast!