Mikel Arteta, the manager of Arsenal, has expressed hope that Gabriel Jesus will return to action soon after undergoing knee surgery.
The Brazil forward had the surgery on Wednesday due to discomfort in the same area where he suffered a serious knee injury during the World Cup last year.
Jesus spent three months recovering from the previous injury and was able to play in the final weeks of Arsenal’s Premier League campaign. However, his recent surgery means he will miss the start of the new season, including the Community Shield clash against Manchester City.
Despite the setback, Arteta remains positive about Jesus’ potential impact in the upcoming season. The manager stated, “He’s obviously disappointed because he was feeling good and then this issue came up that nobody expected. We had to do a little procedure there, but unfortunately, it was the best thing to do and the quicker, the better. I’m sure he will be back soon and very fit.”
In other team news, Bukayo Saka, who was an unused substitute in a recent friendly against Monaco due to illness, is reported to be “much better” and should be ready to face Manchester City at Wembley.
Arteta also addressed Arsenal’s transfer activities, highlighting the importance of having the resources needed to secure their targets.
He emphasized the club’s ability to compete with Manchester City both on and off the pitch, citing the successful acquisition of Declan Rice from West Ham as evidence of their ambition.
Looking ahead to the new season, Arteta hopes that Rice’s leadership skills will be a valuable asset in the dressing room and on the field.
Arsenal finished five points behind Manchester City last season, and the manager believes Rice’s influence could make a significant difference in their title challenge.
As Arsenal prepares for the new campaign, Arteta and the fans are eager to see the team’s new signings in action.
Jurrien Timber, Declan Rice, and Kai Havertz are among the players aiming to make an early impact and contribute to the club’s pursuit of their first league title since 2004.
