Arsenal handed third injury boost as Mikel Arteta gets positive news following Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard updates

Arsenal have been handed further positive injury news with Gabriel Jesus making progress in his recovery from the serious knee problem he picked up earlier this year. The 28-year-old striker underwent ACL surgery after being injured during the FA Cup defeat to Manchester United in January and has been out of action since. In his absence, the Gunners bolstered their attack this summer with the arrivals of Noni Madueke, Viktor Gyokeres and Eberechi Eze as they push for a first Premier League crown in over two decades.

Jesus, however, is edging closer to a comeback and posted a video on social media on Sunday showing himself back training on grass. Alongside it, he reflected: “It’s been seven months of pain, uncertainty and anxiety. Today, I finally feel light — like a child playing football again. GOD IS GREAT.” The forward had scored seven goals in 27 outings before injury cut his campaign short, and his return adds to a weekend of positives for Mikel Arteta, who also saw new signing Eze unveiled before Arsenal’s emphatic 5-0 win over Leeds at the Emirates.

That victory was slightly overshadowed by fresh concerns for Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka, both of whom came off with knocks. Arteta initially feared the worst with Saka, admitting it looked “significant,” but reports later suggested neither injury is as bad as first thought, with both players expected back sooner rather than later.

Whether Odegaard or Saka will be fit in time for next weekend’s trip to Anfield to face reigning champions Liverpool remains unclear. Should they miss out, Eze could be handed an earlier debut than anticipated, with Madueke also in contention to cover on the right if Saka is unavailable.