Gabriel Jesus has endured a long and challenging road back to full fitness, but the Arsenal striker could be in contention for a first-team spot at the start of 2026, if not sooner. His recovery from a cruciate ligament tear—an injury that has sidelined him for nearly a year—is a testament to his resilience and determination.

World Cup Motivation

The 28-year-old Brazilian has faced no fewer than seven injuries since joining Arsenal, yet his focus remains unwavering, particularly with the World Cup on the horizon. If he can regain form in the second half of the 2025/26 season, he could very well secure a spot in Brazil’s squad for the tournament in the USA next summer.

Injury Concerns and Squad Competition

For Jesus to catch the eye of manager Carlo Ancelotti, he needs regular minutes. With teammates Kai Havertz and Viktor Gyokeres also sidelined temporarily, Mikel Arteta must balance the squad carefully. Rumors of a potential January move to Everton or West Ham have circulated, but Arteta has made it clear that the centre-forward will not be sold before the summer transfer window.

Proven Track Record

Jesus’ time in North London has been disrupted by injuries, yet his contributions remain significant. In 2022/23, he scored 11 goals and provided six assists in 26 Premier League appearances. The following season saw four goals and five assists across 27 games, despite missing 17 matches due to knee and hamstring problems. He also added four goals and three assists in eight Champions League matches, underlining his effectiveness in big games.

Before his season-ending injury in 2024/25, Jesus had three Premier League goals in 17 games, plus four in the Carabao Cup, demonstrating his knack for scoring from inside the box. His shooting accuracy of 77.8% and shot conversion rate of 30.8% highlight his efficiency and natural instinct as a “fox in the box.”

Why Arteta Is Right to Hold On

Even with competition from Gyokeres, who is still adapting to Arsenal, Jesus deserves a chance to stake his claim if he looks sharp in training. With a Premier League title challenge looming and fixture congestion from domestic cups, having a fit, experienced striker like Jesus available is invaluable.

Having endured 18 injuries since his Manchester City days, Jesus’ return to form could be crucial for Arsenal’s final run-in this season. Even if his future ultimately lies elsewhere, strong performances in the remaining months of 2025/26 would benefit both the player and the club.