Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta, has categorically dismissed rumours of Gabriel Jesus quitting the club to join other clubs in January. The striker, who has missed the last four months since January with a severe knee injury, played his first game in the first team as a 62 nd -minute replacement in the 3-0 Champions League win over Club Brugges on Wednesday.
The comeback of Jesus was the conclusion of 11 months out of action with an injury, and although he has not been able to secure a regular starting place, Arteta made it clear that the club does not intend to lose him during the mid-season transfer period.
Gabby, according to Arteta, has a lot to contribute to the team and he is demonstrating just during the first few minutes that he was available to play. A player of his calibre, a player who has brought so much, when he comes with the vitality he did the other day, he is definitely a player who must be pushing and looking to initiate.
Striker is also in contention over a starting spot because summer signing Viktor Gyökeres is back on his feet and Kai Havertz is almost ready to resume operations after injuring the knee himself. Without them, Arteta has resorted to trying a midfielder, Mikel Merino, as a substitute centre-forward.
There had been speculation about the future of Jesus, some speculating that he would make a move out of Arsenal as this would increase his chances of making the Brazilian team in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Nevertheless, the statement of Arteta has served to put an end to such rumours.
Jesus is likely to continue fighting to secure a spot in the starting line-up and fans can expect the player to come back to match fitness and play in the domestic and European campaigns of Arsenal. The fact that he was still strong following a long injury layoff is a testament of his quality as well as his dedication to the club.
