Mikel Arteta has welcomed Gabriel Jesus again into the Arsenal fold however now he admits fellow striker Eddie Nketiah faces a “big challenge” to return from an ankle harm.
The Gunners maintained a five-point lead on the high of the Premier League desk regardless of the actual fact that they had no recognised striker with each Jesus and Nketiah crocked.
Jesus underwent knee surgical procedure after getting injured on the World Cup, with Nketiah scoring six targets in 12 video games earlier than he too was dominated out, having suffered an ankle downside within the 4-0 win over Everton on March 1.
“He’s getting better,” Arteta stated when requested for a prognosis on Nketiah. “He’s still in the boot. 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 could have been worse. So he’s not in a bad place.”
Jesus returned from the bench within the weekend win over Fulham however won’t be rushed again into the staff, particularly with Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard starring for the league leaders.
“It was great to see him back – you can feel the happiness of everyone,” Arteta stated on Jesus’ comeback.
“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.”
Jesus might but come into the beginning line-up for Thursday’s Europa League last-16 second-leg conflict with Sporting.
The tie is finely-poised following a 2-2 attract Lisbon final week and, regardless of going all out to win the title, Arteta is just not about to throw away the possibility to raise a European trophy.
Hopefully we are going to construct an enormous environment and luxuriate in with our supporters in opposition to a extremely good staff that’s going to place an enormous problem in entrance of us
Mikel Arteta
Asked if the Europa League was a distraction as they battle on the high of the desk, he replied: “No.
“We haven’t had big European nights for three years. Due to Covid especially.
“Tomorrow 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.”
