Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus has confessed he was “terrified” to make his long-awaited comeback from injury, but is now “more than ready” to assist Arsenal during the busy Christmas fixture list.
The Brazilian featured for the final 28 minutes of the Champions League triumph against Club Brugge on Wednesday night, marking his return after an 11-month absence due to a severe knee problem.
Jesus appeared lively during his substitute appearance in Belgium and has disclosed his relief at moving well and moving past his fear of returning with ‘some limitations.’
“First of all, I want to say thank you to God,” he said. “If it was not for God, I’m 100 per cent sure I would not be here with this mentality, with this health, with this belief.
“In the first three months, I had a lot of doubts in my head, and then I could be more focused on what God wants from me.
“Everyone was expecting me to score and obviously, I wanted to score.
“I had some opportunities, but even with that, I’m so happy and so pleased, because to come back and then to have some touches that I had tonight, and then the way I could move, the way I could keep the ball.
“So with 11 months of helping myself and then feeling scared to come back different, maybe with some limitations, just to walk outside and then play with the boys, I’m so pleased. I feel more than ready.”
His comeback provides a massive boost for Mikel Arteta, whose attacking options have been heavily restricted by injuries to key players like Trossard, and the long-term absence of Max Dowman.
Gunners injury crisis
Summer signing Cristhian Mosquera is set to be sidelined for up to eight weeks with an ankle injury sustained against Brentford. Mosquera joins defensive leaders William Saliba (knock) and Gabriel Magalhães (thigh) in the treatment room, with both centre-backs ruled out for the weekend.
Furthermore, Declan Rice is struggling with illness and Leandro Trossard is a doubt. The club is now forced to contend with a major selection headache, with only Jurrien Timber fit from their preferred defensive options, putting huge pressure on their ability to maintain their lead at the top of the table.