Mikel Arteta confirms forward's availability for Arsenal vs Fulham

Mikel Arteta has confirmed Gabriel Jesus is "ready to go" ahead of Arsenal's clash with Fulham on Saturday.

The Gunners have been without their starting striker for the first few weeks of the 2023/24 campaign after Jesus underwent knee surgery during pre-season. The injury was related to a previous problem the forward suffered during the 2022 World Cup while playing for Brazil.

Jesus returned to training with the first team this week after his layoff and Arteta has now confirmed the striker will be fit to face Fulham in the Premier League this weekend.

"I was really happy [Jesus returned to training]. It was a big blow after the pre-season he had to have surgery. He's looking good. He's ready to go," Arteta told the press.

Despite Jesus' injury, Arsenal have started the 2023/24 season in fine form thanks to the impressive performances of the likes of new signings Declan Rice and Kai Havertz, and the continuous brilliance of Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard.

The Gunners head into the game with Fulham on the back of wins over Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace and will be confident of securing another three points at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.

Previewing the game itself, Arteta was keen to heap praise on manager Marco Silva for the job he's done thus far at Craven Cottage.

He added: "I think what Marco and the coaching staff have done is remarkable. The way they played last season, where they finished in the Premier League and especially the way they did it, it was incredible.

"He is a coach that I always admire because they're really well organised, they have really clear ideas of what they want to do, and you can see his team exactly in the way that he wants them. Tomorrow, we're going to have a tough match."

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