Arsenal injury news: Star forward Gabriel Jesus has been sidelined ever since suffering from a knee problem during Brazil's World Cup campaign in Qatar but he is now nearing a return
Jesus hit the ground instantly in at the Emirates Stadium, scoring five goals and providing a further five assists in just 14 Premier League fixtures - despite facing a goal drought prior to the World Cup break. The Gunners have fared well without the 25-year-old, with Eddie Nketiah filling the void left by the Brazilian in Arteta's attack.
The north Londoners sit at the top of the Premier League table, five points clear of City, but with games coming thick and fast, they will be hoping Jesus can return sooner rather than later with the return of Europa League action next week. So with that being said, football.london has taken a look at all of the latest news on Jesus' injury below.
Mikel Arteta offers positive update
Mikel Arteta has offered a positive update about his number nine, with the Spaniard admitting that Jesus has been doing some work with the squad in training.
Arteta said: "He's not far now. I don't want to give a timeline but he's doing certain things with the team, certain things outside the team. He's not very close but he is not far at all.
"He's feeling better every day and the doctors are confident with the way the injury is evolving and we are in a good place with him I think."
Recent player post
Jesus has now taken to social media, posting a picture where he can be seen back on the field, playing with a ball. "Step by step", his tweet read, alongside multiple emojis before the hashtags of "alômãe" and "gratidão", which roughly translate to "hello mother" and "gratitude", the former of which refers to his iconic phone call celebration to his mother.
Fans will hope this means he is nearing a return to full training ahead of a busy schedule in the Premier League and Europa League.
Positive news
The Gunners are hopeful of having the former Manchester City frontman back in the squad before players head off with their respective nations.
Arteta update ahead of Man City
Mikel Arteta has confirmed there are no fresh injury concerns ahead of Arsenal's Premier League clash against Manchester City whilst offering a fresh update on Jesus' recovery.
Jesus has been absent since the beginning of December after undergoing knee surgery as a result of sustaining medial ligament damage during the World Cup group stage fixture against Cameroon.
Whilst there is no timeframe for his return to action, he is making very good progress.
"Doing really well," Arteta said when asked how Jesus is doing. "He’s on the pitch, he’s been doing quite a lot of work on the ball already and so far his rehab is going well."
Asked if there was a timeframe for Jesus' return, Arteta added: "Unfortunately no. Ask the doctor maybe he’ll give you one!"
Arteta update ahead of Brentford
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has delivered an update on Jesus' progress ahead of Saturday's crucial league clash against Brentford. When asked about injury updated, the Spaniard replied: "The ones that were long-term like Emile, Reiss and Gabi Jesus are closer.
"They have started to do some activities and have been outside but they are not ready yet to contribute."
Trainer post
Jesus continues to keep Arsenal supporters in the loop with how his recovery is coming along and his personal trainer Andre Cunha has now posted some footage on Instagram showing the player running outside on the grass.
Grass update
Jesus has now taken to social media to deliver another update to his fans ahead of Arsenal's clash against Everton on Saturday.
"After eight weeks", his Instagram story caption read, accompanied by a picture of him finally back on the grass. Arsenal will hope to have him back in full training as soon as possible as they continue to hunt for their first league title since 2004, currently sitting five points clear at the top of the table.
February prediction
Gabriel Jesus could be available for selection by the end of February, given his latest comments to Khabib Nurmagomedov, who was in attendance for the Arsenal vs Manchester United clash on January 22.
Speaking to the now-retired former UFC Champion, Jesus admitted he hopes to be back on the pitch in "four to five weeks".
Two fixtures against Man City, in the Premier League and FA Cup, along with matches against Everton, Brentford and Aston Villa in the coming weeks will likely come too soon for Jesus, but using his own timeline, he could be available for the clash with Leicester at the end of February.
Arteta's comments
Speaking about Jesus ahead of Sunday's North London Derby against Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta said: "He’s progressing really well, he’s working really hard, he’s in the right place in terms of the time that we set for him, but he’s still a bit far."
When asked if Jesus would return this season, Arteta added: "I’d like to see him very quickly but I don’t think it’s gonna happen. "We’re going to have to be patient with that one. But let’s see.
"It’s a complicated surgery, in any surgery, there are always a lot of things were you have to be cautious. He’s a player that’s going to push to be really fast on the pitch."
Encouraging update
Jesus has taken to social media again to provide another encouraging update on his recovery. The striker took to Twitter to post a video over a minute and a half long.
The video includes various shots of Jesus stepping up the intensity of his recovery with boxing, stretches, body resistance training and even a clip of the Gunners striker using the leg extension machine on his injured knee with no leg brace.
Evolving everyday. #alômãe #gratidão #doperi #progress pic.twitter.com/Mr04yyCZCs
— Gabriel Jesus (@gabrieljesus9)
Return boost
Jesus provided Arsenal fans with an update that could spell positive news for the Gunners. The Brazilian took to Instagram to provide an update.
He released an Instagram story where he is seen throwing his crutches away and captioning the post ‘Freedom Sang’, which highlights he no longer needs support during his recovery from the knee injury.
Second Instagram post
That being said, the image uploaded with the post shows that Jesus is still having to wear a knee brace. The date of when that's set to be removed is currently unknown.
Personal trainer gives Instagram update
Jesus' personal trainer has provided an update on how his client's first week of rehabilitation went.
Writing on Instagram, Andre Cunha said: "First week. A big journey awaits! Tough, difficult and uncomfortable, you can bet it is! Transformer? You can bet it will!
"Feeding your heart with the vision of the future, living in the present and celebrating the short term achievements is key. Goals set and goals achieved, and so it will be, week by week, always doing a little more. Let's go, we're getting closer @dejesusoficial! WE FOLLOW."
Jesus reacts to surgery on Instagram
Jesus himself has confirmed that his recovery is now well underway. Alongside a picture of him smiling with his crutches in hospital following surgery, he said on Instagram: "Hora de ir para casa (Time to go home)."
Successful surgery
"Gabby will now begin his rehabilitation programme. Everyone at the club is supporting Gabby and will be working hard to get him back on the pitch as soon as possible."
Games Jesus will likely miss
When Jesus could return
World Cup dream ended
The knee injury brought an end to Jesus' World Cup dream. As a result, the striker returned to London to begin his recovery. Brazil were later eliminated from the tournament by Croatia at the quarter-final stage.