Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus admits it was “not easy” to be out injured as his teammates put together a challenge for the Premier League title.
The Brazilian forward only moved to the Emirates Stadium last summer but has already endured a long spell on the sidelines with a knee injury picked up during the World Cup. The 25-year-old has made his return over recent weeks with brief cameos against Fulham and Crystal Palace, whilst he also started in the Europa League defeat to Sporting Lisbon.
Jesus’ return is certainly a huge boost to Mikel Arteta and the Gunners’ hopes of winning the Premier League come the end of the campaign. Speaking about his injury, the former Manchester City star has revealed it was tough to watch his teammates, but suggested he attempted to help even when out injured.
“I was injured but in my mind I was involved,” he said. “I was like, I need to talk, I need to try to help them with something by talking and seeing the games - so that’s why.
“Over my life, I want to help as many as I can. That helped me a lot. My family as well, my wife, my daughter, my mum, my brothers, my sisters, my friends, everyone close to me helped me a lot. And also here, the people at the club, the players, the staff, the manager helped me a lot.
“I think the most important thing was my mind. I tried to keep focused, keep strong and then comeback fully fit.
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“It is not easy to be out. It was a long and very bad injury. I prefer to be on the pitch, running, playing and helping my team-mates. The fans have always been good with me - helping me, pushing me. The way they [cheered me] last Sunday against Fulham was amazing. I will never forget that. All I want is to give it back to them on the pitch.”
Jesus now has a further two-week spell to work on his fitness during the international break before the Premier League resumes. He has not been named in the latest Brazil squad for March’s fixtures.
Once domestic action resumes, Arsenal will focus on their battle to win the Premier League title with no other cup on offer for the Gunners. They are in prime position to win the title after extending their lead to eight points with victory over Crystal Palace.
Jesus has sent a further message to his teammates ahead of what is expected to be an exciting run-in. “Now is, I think in my opinion, the best part of the season,” he added.
“When you have deciding games, big games as well, away and at home. Now is the time we have to play the same, don’t change, be together and then we will see. The team are doing so good. I think no one here is the main man. Everyone is together. When I got injured, we were sure Eddie [Nketiah] could go there and help us - and he did it. [Leandro] Trossard came in and did it as well.
“So everyone is together. To be champions of this big, big competition we need not only 11 players.”
