Mikel Arteta says he’s seen a step change in Gabriel Jesus during the international break and believes the Brazil international is close to being 100 per cent fit.
Sidelined for three months by knee surgery, the striker made his much-anticipated return to action during the 3-0 win over Fulham just under three weeks ago.
Further cameos against Sporting Lisbon and Crystal Palace saw him bank another 70 minutes which, coupled with more time on the training ground, has set him up nicely for the final 10 games of the season.
🗣️ “He’s very close to that. In the last 10 days he’s taken a big step forward. You can see in training that he’s creating that chaos that’s he’s capable of creating.”
Mikel Arteta on Gabriel Jesus being 100%. 🇧🇷 pic.twitter.com/oj7QxCsMjs
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) March 31, 2023
“He’s very close to that,” said manager Mikel Arteta when asked if his summer signing is back at his best.
“The last 10 days he’s really made a big step forward. You can see that he’s looser, he’s not thinking about it [the injury], you can see that he’s already creating in training that chaos that he’s capable of creating, a unique moment, so he’s in a really good place now.”
Prior to his injury, Jesus had notched five goals and six assists in 14 Premier League appearances. The hope now is that he can add to those figures as the Gunners look to keep Manchester City at arm’s length for the remainder of the season.
Great news, especially if he can get his scoring boots on, though just his energy and help for others is a big boon for us. And we have Trossard to bring on too, looking good in attack!!!
Jesus has risen
Embrace chaos
If you read between the lines, Arteta was pretty careful until now to *not* say that Jesus was back to his best or near his best. Instead, he talked about Jesus’ determination, and hard work, and the psychological boost his return gives other members of the team. So I think this new statement is significant–not just “he’s coming along nicely” but “yeah, he’s back.”
And that little smile when the said “creating the chaos that he is capable of creating..” Significant.
back in time for Easter. Typical
Shitballs, that photo.! What happened to his right hand while away?
Arteta stood by his bed after the knee op.
‘Every month you away, you loose a finger. Get fit quick mother fucker. .. We need you Gabby..!’
‘OK boss, please just leave me one incase I have an itchy nostral. I beg you.’.
*left
Trossard has settled in nicely, playing that false nine with distinction. His link up play has revitalised Martinelli and Xhaka. How does he get dropped for Jesus? A huge headache for Arteta, I must say.
It’s not a headache at all. It’s actually a no brainier. Jesus starts all day long. Trossard is on bench.
I don’t think it’s that straightforward mate. Trossard seems to have a lot more assist in him than Gabriel, while the latter has more chaos value – he is stronger in the press. They both peel to the left nicely, dovetailing with Martinelli and Xhaka to good effect. Whoever starts, I am fine with it. One coming in for the other later in the game compounds the problem for our opponents.