Jesus on Brink of Return for Arsenal, Says Arteta

Mikel Arteta

Gabriel Jesus has been registered for Arsenal's Champions League squad, replacing injured Max Dowman. The Brzilian striker is now eligible to play against Club Brugge.

“So thanks to (Jesus’) ‍work and all the ‌work that the medical staff have done in all these months...”

Gabriel Jesus is poised to make a long-awaited return for Arsenal in the Champions League against Club Brugge on Wednesday. The Brazilian striker has been out since January with an anterior cruciate ligament injury, but has been training with the team for the past two weeks and was an unused substitute against Chelsea and Brentford.

Rise to the occasion ✊ pic.twitter.com/wLVyMwZKjQ

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) December 9, 2025

Manager Mikel Arteta revealed that Jesus has been registered for the Champions League in place of Max Dowman, who suffered an ankle injury while playing for the under-21s. Arteta praised Jesus' determination and progress, stating he's looking good in training and will be a big addition to the team.

However, Arsenal will be without Declan Rice, who is ill, and Leandro Trossard, who is injured. Arteta said Rice was sick after the game against Aston Villa and hasn't traveled with the team, while Trossard picked up another knock and isn't expected to be out long.

Mikel Arteta revealed that Gabriel Jesus was initially expected to resume training this month, but the 28-year-old has been pushing himself hard and is now ready to return earlier than anticipated. Arteta praised Jesus' dedication, saying, “Gabi has been pushing every single day and he kept telling everybody 'I am going to be earlier, earlier, earlier' and he has done it.”

Gabriel Jesus has been registered for the Champions League in place of Max Dowman, who became the youngest player to appear in a Champions League match at 15 years old, coming on as a substitute in Arsenal's 3-0 win over Slavia Prague last month. However, Dowman sustained an ankle injury while playing for the under-21s on Saturday.

“So thanks to (Jesus’) ‍work and all the ‌work that the medical staff have done in all these months, we had the possibility to make a swap there and we have done it. Yes, on one side, you see Max and the situation and ⁠on the other, you see the joy and how happy Gabi is to be back in the Champions League,” Arteta told a press conference.

Declan Rice is ill, according to Mikel Arteta. “He was quite sick after the game (against Aston Villa on Saturday), and he hasn’t travelled with us,” the manager said.

Leandro Trossard is also out, having picked up an injury near the end of the game at Villa Park after coming on as a halftime substitute. Arteta didn't provide an update on the severity of Trossard's injury.

“Leo again picked up another knock in an area where he had the issue, and I don't expect that it's going to be long, but unfortunately, he cannot ⁠be here.”

Touchdown in Brugge 🛬 pic.twitter.com/SODXeizvYU

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) December 9, 2025

Mikel Arteta believes it's a good opportunity for Arsenal to get back in action, especially with the Champions League match against Club Brugge. The Gunners are looking to bounce back from their 2-1 loss to Aston Villa over the weekend. Arteta's side is currently top of the Premier League, but they've been hit with a series of injuries, including Declan Rice and Leandro Trossard, who won't be available for the Brugge clash.

“Absolutely, especially when you play a competition like the Champions League and how much we want to continue to do the job that we have started in the first five ⁠games,” he added as Arsenal look to keep up their 100% record in the competition.