Mikel Arteta has warning for Gabriel Jesus on return to Arsenal team from injury

METRO

Gabriel Jesus was back in an Arsenal shirt on Sunday at Fulham after a lengthy lay-off due to a knee injury, but Mikel Arteta has warned him that he is not guaranteed a place in the starting XI.

The striker came off the bench in the 3-0 win over the Cottagers, replacing Leandro Trossard 77 minutes into the comfortable win which restored Arsenal’s five-point lead at the top of the Premier League.

Jesus had been first choice up front for the Gunners since signing from Manchester City in the summer and is expected to return to that role now he is fit again, but Arteta has warned him that regaining his place in the starting XI may not be so easy.

‘Gabi has to earn his place like in any other team,’ said Arteta after the Fulham win. ‘We have alternatives… in relation to the chemistry of players and what we ask them to do. It’s a great problem to have, believe me.’

Jesus had a good chance to get back on the score sheet on his return but was clearly not at his sharpest as he could only manage a tame effort when through on goal, comfortably saved by Bernd Leno.