Arteta Discusses Jesus’s Comeback and Dowman Injury in Press Conference News Update
Mikel Arteta has confirmed that Gabriel Jesus has made a remarkable recovery ahead of schedule from a serious ACL injury. The Brazilian forward has been sidelined since early January following his injury against Manchester United. However, he has progressed sufficiently to be included in the squad for the upcoming Champions League match against Club Brugge.
Jesus’s Early Comeback
Gabriel Jesus returned to training and was added to the Champions League roster just in time for the game on Wednesday evening. This inclusion was made possible due to an injury to teammate Max Dowman, who will be unavailable for several weeks. Arteta praised Jesus’s dedication in pushing his recovery, stating, “He kept telling everybody, ‘I am going to be earlier,’ and he has done it.”
Impact of Dowman’s Injury
Regarding Dowman’s situation, Arteta remarked, “Unfortunately, he picked up an injury last weekend and is going to be out for weeks.” The manager also noted that injuries are part of a player’s development. He advised Dowman to use this time away from the pitch to reflect and improve his understanding of the game.
Additional Player Updates
Arteta also provided updates on other players who were not included in the trip to Belgium. The following players will miss out:
- Declan Rice: He was ill after the last game and is not traveling.
- William Saliba: He remains unavailable due to injury.
- Leandro Trossard: He has sustained another knock and won’t be making the trip, although his absence is expected to be short-term.
As Arsenal prepares for their Champions League encounter, the team faces both challenges and opportunities with notable comebacks and unfortunate injuries. The optimism surrounding Jesus’s return will undoubtedly provide a boost to the squad as they compete on the European stage.
