Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus is on the verge of returning to action after a lengthy absence due to a serious knee injury, according to manager Mikel Arteta.
The Brazilian international has been sidelined since suffering a left anterior cruciate ligament injury that has kept him off the field for nearly a year.
Arteta confirmed Jesus is “very close to coming back” but emphasized the need for caution in his recovery.
“We have to take into account that he has been out of training for a significant period,” Arteta said. “Consistency is very important.”
The manager added that the club wants to observe “how his body reacts and what he needs to be 100 percent” before a full return.
Arteta noted that Jesus’s return would be “great” for the squad, which he believes currently has the “right balance.”