Gabriel Jesus has shared updates to his social media platforms while the Arsenal squad travelled to Asia for their pre-season tour.
The Brazil international has been out with a knee injury for the last six-and-half months after picking up the issue in the FA Cup third round defeat to Manchester United.
“Further to being substituted during our match with Manchester United on Sunday, Gabriel Jesus has received extensive assessments, scans and specialist reviews which have confirmed that he has sustained an injury to the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee,” a statement released at the time said.
Jesus has endured a turbulent three years at Emirates Stadium since he and Oleksandr Zinchenko joined for a combined £75 million from Manchester City.
With Mikel Arteta’s project advancing, both have become fringe players and it seems likely that the duo will depart permanently. Zinchenko has attracted interest from Germany and Italy but links to Jesus have been scarce due to his injury.
Having torn his ACL, with the recovery period usually nine months, Jesus is not expected back until October and therefore it was no surprise that he was not one of the 30 Arsenal players heading out to Asia for the club’s pre-season tour.
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Confirming the plan, a club statement read: “Captain Martin Odegaard will lead the squad, with new signings, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Martin Zubimendi and Christian Norgaard all travelling.
“Noni Madueke, who officially signed for the club on Friday, will be joining his teammates when the squad return from Asia, due to his participation in the FIFA Club World Cup.”
The hope is Cristhian Mosquera and Viktor Gyokeres, two players on the verge of joining Arsenal, can play some part. Having the latter would certainly help Arteta as Kai Havertz is his only fit natural striker option with Jesus remaining in north London.
He is certainly keeping busy though, with the 28-year-old posting videos and photos from his latest workout, alongside his wife Raiane Lima, to his Instagram story. A photo of both was captioned: “Training more than special today heart eyes, red heart and hands together emoji].”
Jesus is then recorded using a cable machine in the gym with it clear he is stepping up the intensity and ensuring he keeps fit even if he has not started training yet.
Having signed a five-year contract, Jesus’ current deal is set to expire in 2027 with it likely he is sold next summer considering the fact he is out injured and will remain out for the next months at the very least.
