Forgotten Arsenal star Jesus targets December return from injury nightmare

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta may be set for a double injury boost in the coming months with Gabriel Jesus targeting a return to full training and return to action in December, as Kai Havertz steps up his fitness work

Gabriel Jesus is set to give Arsenal a major fitness boost. And Kai Havertz is also stepping up his fitness work as the Germany striker also hopes to be in first team contention quicker than expected.

Brazil striker Jesus is targeting a return to full training and potential first team action by December to give Arsenal’s title push a major lift. Jesus, 28, has been recovering after suffering an ACL knee injury in the FA Cup against Manchester United in January. It was a devastating blow for the Arsenal forward who has been plagued by injuries since the 2022 World Cup.

But Jesus - a £45m signing from Manchester City in the summer of 2022 - has impressed Arsenal’s medical team with his determination to come back and has also been taking part in sessions on the grass. Jesus has yet to be involved in full training but is determined to come back stronger and play a full part in the second half of the season.

His quality in the Champions League could be important together with his experience and dribbling ability gives Arsenal different options.

Meanwhile, Arsenal striker Havertz is also on the road back to first team action and is making good progress after undergoing knee surgery after suffering an injury at Manchester United on the opening weekend of the season.

While Havertz has yet to be pictured with the first team training group, the German is expected to return within the coming weeks and could be starting again within a month.

Havertz missed the tail end of last season because of a hamstring injury while on the club’s warm weather training camp in Dubai which restricted him to just two substitute appearances in May.

But Havertz blew medical staff away then with his determination to get fit and has done the same again this time.

Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard and Noni Madueke are the other two first teamers on the injury list with both expected to be out until after the next international break.