Gabriel Jesus delighted with Arsenal comeback: ‘Feels like I never left’

Jesus came off the bench in Sunday’s 3-0 win at Fulham and made his first appearance for the club since injuring his knee for Brazil at the World Cup.

The return of Jesus is a huge boost for leaders Arsenal, who have restored their five-point lead over Manchester City thanks to goals from Gabriel, Gabriel Martinelli and Martin Odegaard.

“So happy to be back,” Jesus tweeted. “And it feels like I never left… What a win for this group! Let’s go, Gunners!’

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has warned Jesus must reclaim his place in the team as the Gunners challenge for the Premier League title.

Leandro Trossard provided three assists in an impressive display as a centre-forward before being replaced by Jesus in the last 13 minutes.

Arteta said: “[It is a] big boost [to have him back]. Today the first step. We didn’t know if today was the right game. He said to me a few days ago, ‘I’m still missing something.’ Yesterday I looked into his eyes and he said ‘I’m ready.’ I said OK.’

“It’s great to have him back. [But] he has to earn his place like any other team. We have alternatives who can play in different positions and we also have different goals that we have to meet in terms of player chemistry and what we ask of them. It’s a big problem, believe me.

“We’re trying to adapt to the quality of players we have, trying to get them as much as possible into their strengths and positions where we want Leo [Leandro Trossard] has completely different qualities than Gabi, Martin [Odegaard] complements him really well in terms of space and understanding with him. It’s great to have this versatility.”