Jesus is back! Arsenal striker in line for Europa League return

Gabriel Jesus (Photo by Rob Carr / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)

Gabriel Jesus is set to travel with the Arsenal squad for tonight’s Europa League clash with Sporting Lisbon, reports goal.com.

The striker has not played for Arsenal since the World Cup having injured his knee while playing for Brazil in Qatar. But he has been stepping up his recovery in recent weeks and on Saturday he joined in the post-game warm down with the substitutes after Arsenal’s 3-2 win against Bournemouth.

That was seen as a major step forward for Jesus and yesterday he joined in full training with the squad at London Colney ahead of the first leg of their Europa League last-16 clash at Sporting.

Jesus is expected to be on the plane to Lisbon with the travelling squad, which left London yesterday. It’s not yet clear whether he will be included in the actual matchday squad by Mikel Arteta, but just his presence on the plane is another big indication that Jesus’ long-awaited return is imminent.

Mikel Arteta’s side face Sporting Lisbon this night in the first leg of their Europa League last 16 clash. They will then turn their attention to a London derby clash with Fulham on Sunday.

Jesus gave Arsenal fans something to cheer about as he got involved in his first full training session with the club since November.

A regular for his new club in the early part of the season, the Brazil striker picked up an injury while representing his country at the World Cup in Qatar. The knee problem ended up requiring surgery, ensuring Arsenal have had to use understudies, Eddie Nketiah and Leandro Trossard, at the point of their attack.

Arteta has been reluctant to commit to a concrete return date for the 25-year-old, who joined from Manchester City