Arsenal's attack may be about to get a major boost - and it comes in the form of one of their most important players.

Brazilian forward Gabriel Jesus is nearing his long-awaited comeback after suffering a serious knee injury against Manchester United back in January.

The 28-year-old striker, who shined in the Premier League with Manchester City before arriving at Arsenal, hasn't featured since that FA Cup clash - a nine-month stretch that has forced him to watch his club fight on multiple fronts from the sidelines. Now the finish line is finally in sight.

Arteta: "I'm thrilled to have him back."

Manager Mikel Arteta couldn't hide his excitement about seeing Jesus back in full training. "I think he's going to add something extra to the team that we don't have," he said. "Very soon we'll see him on that pitch making an impact for the team."

Jesus has been completing the final stages of rehab - transitioning from working solo to joining the squad again, testing his fitness against top competition in practice. Arteta loves what he's seen so far. "He's full of energy. The reaction of his teammates when he rejoined was amazing. Great to have him back."

Right before the injury, Jesus was in electric form: six goals in his last four starts, December Arsenal Player of the Month, and a forward who presses, creates, and scores. It's not just goals Arsenal have lacked - it's Jesus' movement, his ability to drag defenders, and his relentless energy in the press. That's been missing from a team that has struggled at times to break through stubborn Premier League defenses.

Jesus knows exactly what he can bring back into the lineup

"I always believe in myself. Even when I wasn't scoring, I was opening spaces and running in behind." The road back hasn't been easy. Jesus admits this was the biggest injury of his career, arriving at a moment where everything felt perfect both on and off the pitch.

The blessing that helped him push through it? He became a father for the second time this summer. "God has given me this challenge... He knows I'm strong enough to come back." Physically, he says the knee is responding well. But the final steps are the hardest.

"When you can see the end, it's tricky. You have to stay calm. When the time comes, I'll be ready." Jesus has already missed 38 matches, with Arsenal forced to rotate heavily up front - relying on Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz, and Leandro Trossard to carry the scoring load.

The Gunners have kept pace near the top of the Premier League and remain in the Champions League knockout race. But their attack hasn't looked as fluid or explosive without the Brazilian stirring chaos around opposing defenders.