Arsenal forgotten man opens door to Brazil return

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Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus has opened the door to rejoining former club Palmeiras. Jesus is nearing a long-awaited return from injury for Arsenal, having suffered an interior cruciate ligament injury against Manchester United last January.

The 28-year-old joined Arsenal from Manchester City in 2022 for £45m, and has gone on to score 26 goals in 96 appearances. His time at the club has been blighted by injury concerns, missing large portions of each of his three seasons with the club.

Arsenal subsequently have been rumoured to be open to selling the player in January, but Jesus insists his immediate future lies in North London.

“Every day, the [Arsenal] coach and the board say they’re eager for my return,” Jesus said to ESPN Brazil. “I don’t see myself outside the club’s plans.”

“I have a contract until 2027, and if it’s not renewed by then, I’ll be at the club at least until 2027.”

He continued, adding that a return to boyhood club Palmeiras would interest him once his Arsenal days are done.

“That interest will always be there,” he said. “Both from them and from me. But there’s been nothing formal.”

“It’s the natural interest of a kid who came through the Palmeiras youth system, went to Europe, and obviously wants to return one day. Everyone at the club knows that.”

“When I feel like returning to Brazil, which isn’t the case right now, my desire is and always will be Palmeiras.”

Speaking to Arsenal’s matchday programme last week ahead of their match against Crystal Palace, Jesus added that the he is keen to return to the grass, after what has been the ‘biggest’ injury of his career.

“I’m feeling great, my knee is responding very well,” he said. “I’m looking forward to being around the team again soon, to come back to do what I love to do. It’s been too long… this one is the biggest injury I’ve had in my life.”

“When you can see the end it’s important you don’t push too hard, keep my feet on the floor, and then as soon as the time comes, I will be ready.”

Jesus will have a very different set of teammates when he rejoins the side, after Arsenal spent around £255m on reinforcements this summer. Viktor Gyokeres, Eberechi Eze, Noni Madueke, Martin Zubimendi, Christian Nørgaard, Cristhian Mosquera, Kepa Arrizabalaga, and Piero Hincapie all joined the gunners who are seeking their first Premier League title since 2004.

Nadji is a football writer with over 10 years of experience covering the Premier League. His work has been featured on Football Fancast, Arsenal-Mania, and Arsenal.com, where he has built a reputation for delivering sharp analysis, engaging storytelling, and in-depth coverage of the game.