Mikel Arteta confirms that ‘phenomenal’ Gabriel Jesus is ‘not far’ from a return to the first-team

Mikel Arteta has confirmed that long-term absentee Gabriel Jesus is ‘not far’ from a return to first-team action.

The Brazilian striker, who was pictured on the grass for the first time since his injury on Wednesday, has been out for the last three months after picking up a knee injury in a World Cup group stage match against Cameroon. He had surgery on his right knee in December.

Arteta has often been reluctant to give an exact timeline on the striker’s return but the Arsenal boss said it will be a lot clearer in the next week to 10 days.

Speaking ahead of Arsenal’s clash with Bournemouth on Saturday, Arteta said: ‘He’s not far now. I don’t want to give a timeline but he is doing certain things with the team and certain things away from the team. He’s not very close but he’s not far at all.

‘He is feeling better every day and feeling confident with the way the injury is evolving. We are in a good place with him, I think.’

Gabriel Jesus was pictured returning to training earlier this week but is still not ready to return

‘It’s been pretty straightforward. At the beginning we were pretty concerned and thankfully it wasn’t that bad. Gabi has been through that before, his mentality is incredible and the team has done a really good job with him.’

Arteta refused to confirm whether Jesus would be back before the international break, and admitted he has not begun full contact training.

‘We don’t know,’ he said. ‘He needs to do much more with the team but let’s see how the next week/10 days develop and we will have a better picture after that.’ 

When quizzed on whether Jesus would get straight back in the team, the Arsenal boss added: ‘Probably that wouldn’t be fair on him because when he was in the team he was phenomenal. But when he’s back like everybody else he’ll need to earn his place in the team.’ 

The Gunners host Bournemouth on the back of hammering Everton 4-0, thanks to a brace from Gabriel Martinelli and one each for Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard. The emphatic win sent them five points clear of Manchester City.

Arsenal will be playing after Manchester City, who will attempt to close the gap to two points when they face Eddie Howe’s high-flying Newcastle in the Saturday lunchtime kick-off.

The Gunners have also been sweating on whether Eddie Nketiah and Jorginho will be fit to play – with the former picking up a knock against Everton and the latter withdrawn at half-time through illness.

‘We are assessing him [Eddie Nketiah] and it is a bit uncertain what is going to happen to be hone,’ Arteta explained. 

‘He is positive so hopefully he will be fine. Jorginho is fine, he had an illness and was suffering but he is fit now.’ 

Arsenal increased their gap on Manchester City to five points with a 4-0 win against Everton on Wednesday