Gabriel Jesus ‘to join Arsenal squad for Sporting Lisbon clash’
Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus will reportedly join the squad for Thursday’s Europa League trip to Sporting Lisbon to further his recovery from knee surgery.
arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus He is reportedly due to travel with the squad on Thursday European League Round of 16 first leg vs Sporty Lisbon.
The former Manchester City forward is still awaiting his first cap of 2023 after undergoing post-World Cup surgery to repair a serious knee injury.
Eddie Nketiah, Gabriel Martinelli And Leandro Trossard have rotated in the central role during Jesus’ absence, with the Brazilian absent from all competitions in Arsenal’s last 14 games.
However, Jesus has slowly taken his recovery at Arsenal’s London Colney training base and in recent days has been working with the ball at his feet while being reintegrated into some aspects of team training.
Gunners boss Mikel Arteta still refuses to set a time frame for Jesus’ recovery, but acc The sunthe 25-year-old will be on the plane for the trip to Portugal on Thursday.
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The report adds that it is ‘unlikely’ that Jesus will be considered for any minutes in the Europa League but he will continue to push preparations with the side in training.
A comeback against Fulham on Sunday may also come too early for the South American, who is likely to make his first-team comeback after the international break.
Arsenal welcome Leeds United on April 1 after their upcoming round of internationals at the Emirates and the club will be hoping Jesus can gain a few minutes in that encounter.
The striker got his start in north London after joining from Manchester City in the summer, scoring five goals and providing seven assists in 20 games in all competitions.
The impending return of Jesus will be music to the ears of Arteta, who could potentially work without three of his key attacking options for Thursday’s first leg following injuries to Nketiah and Trossard.
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Nketiah missed Saturday’s 3-2 win over Bournemouth with an ankle problem, while Trossard had to be substituted off in the 22nd minute against the Cherries with a groin injury.
Initial assessments of Trossard’s injury were reassuring and he should return before the international break, but the Belgian is also likely to miss Thursday’s game against Sporting.
Meanwhile, Nketiah’s ankle issue is expected to make him unavailable to meet with Reuben Amorim‘s side that Martinelli could use until midway this week.
Shifting Martinelli to a central role would open up a spot on the left Emile Smith Rowe his first start of the season, with the England international also being plagued by groin and thigh problems this season.
Tear Nelson is another candidate to start after his heroic last-gasp win over Bournemouth that kept Arsenal five points clear of Man City at the top of the Premier League table.
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