Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus is set to travel out to Portugal for Thursday’s game against Sporting – but isn’t likely to be involved in the game.
That’s according to The Sun, who report that Jesus is expected to be on the flight from London to Lisbon this week.
However, Jesus isn’t expected to be in the squad to face Sporting – and the same goes for the weekend game against Fulham.
The plan is for Jesus to be in the squad to face Leeds United on April 1st.
So just why is Jesus heading to Portugal if he isn’t even close to playing?
Well, it’s suggested that Mikel Arteta wants to get Jesus involved in more training sessions.
If Jesus was left at home in London, he wouldn’t be around his teammates and really ramping up his return to fitness.
By taking him out to Portugal, Arteta can get Jesus fully reintegrated with first-team training in a plan that the Brazilian should love.
Arsenal need Gabriel Jesus back
When Jesus went down with an injury during the World Cup, many expected the Gunners to fall off once Premier League action returned.
That hasn’t happened though and Arsenal remain five points clear at the top of the Premier League table despite not having Jesus since November.
Arteta and co can be very proud of how they have dealt with Jesus being out, but they need him back now.
Eddie Nketiah has cooled off in recent weeks and his recent ankle injury has exposed a lack of striking depth at Arsenal.
Add in that Leandro Trossard is now injured too and Arsenal really need their leading striker back in action again.
That could be an enormous boost for Arsenal in the title run-in, with Jesus no doubt desperate to beat former club Manchester City to the Premier League title.
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