Gabriel Jesus

Jesus recorded two shots in Saturday's 2-1 win over Brighton.

Jesus featured almost half an hour and contributed three shots (two on target) and one chance created in Wednesday's Champions League 3-0 win against Brugge in his return from a knee injury, coach Mikel Arteta commented in a press conference. "So happy for him, I think you can see how much we all love him. It's been a very, very difficult and long journey. For 11 months he's been fighting against another very difficult injury and to see him back with that smile, with that energy and with that quality in his first performance with us is something really impressive and we're all delighted for him. Yes, and especially if he continues to perform in the manner that he's doing and the energy that he's putting in training. I think he brings something else, and I was really happy to see that and for him as well, for his confidence to grow, for his teammates to feel him as well because some of them haven't played with him. So, Gabby has a really special quality where  he suddenly connects everybody around him and that's something that we as a team need and it will make us better."

Jesus has been added to the UCL list and is an option in the competition moving forward.

Jesus (knee) is on the bench for Sunday's match against Chelsea.

Jesus (knee) was involved in a closed-door friendly and is nearing a return, according to manager Mikel Arteta. "We have to see. He's been out 11 months, and you need that progression; you need to see how his body reacts, and what else he needs. The players that we have available as well, it has to make sense to have the right balance in the squad. So it's a good thing he's very, very close at the moment."