Arsenal given a lift by Gabriel Jesus' return from injury, says Mikel Arteta - 'You can feel the happiness'
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Published 15/03/2023 at 22:13 GMT
Gabriel Jesus is in contention to feature in Arsenal's attack in the Europa League last-16 second-leg tie against Sporting Lisbon, and Mikel Arteta admitted the Brazilian's return from injury has given everyone at the north London club a lift. Jesus had been ruled out since early December with a knee injury and his presence is a massive boost for Arsenal's Premier League title hopes.
'You can feel the happiness!' - Arteta confirms return of Jesus for big European night
Mikel Arteta insists the return of Gabriel Jesus has given everyone at Arsenal a lift, but stresses the Brazil international’s fitness must be “managed”.
A long-term knee injury suffered while playing at the Qatar World Cup has seen the 25-year-old out of action since early December, but he came off the bench to feature in Sunday’s 3-0 win at Fulham.
And he could make his first start since November on Thursday for the Gunners when they host Sporting Lisbon in the Europa League last-16 second leg, with the score perfectly poised at 2-2.
"It was great to see him back. You can feel the happiness of everyone," Arteta said.
"We missed him and now he's back. We have to manage his minutes, his involvement in the squad and the team.
"He's feeling good and every day he's training he says his sensations are better and better, so that's really positive.”
Eddie Nketiah had helped to fill the void in Jesus' absence, netting six goals in 12 games as Arsenal have led the way at the top of the Premier League table, but the Englishman is now battling an injury of his own.
Nketiah was forced off with an ankle injury during a 4-0 win over Everton on March 1, and is unlikely to be back in action until the final days of the season.
“It’s getting better [Nketiah's injury]. He’s still in the boot,” said Arteta on Nketiah’s condition.
“He’s still a few weeks away and we need to be patient. It was a nasty injury and he has a big challenge ahead of him. Thank God it’s not as bad as it could have been.”
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Eddie Nketiah of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Manchester City at Emirates Stadium on February 15, 2023 in London
Image credit: Getty Images
With Arsenal leading the Premier League table by five points as we approach the business end of the season – and with some difficult fixtures to come including a trip to Manchester City in April – the Europa League could be seen as a distraction by some.
But Arteta insists the competition remains important for the north London club.
"We haven't had big European nights for three years. Due to Covid especially," he said.
"Tomorrow [Thursday] is the first one for a while. Hopefully we will build a big atmosphere and enjoy with our supporters against a really good team that is going to put a big challenge in front of us."
After Sporting, Arsenal turn their focus back to league matters when they host Crystal Palace on Sunday.
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