After nearly a year sidelined with an ACL injury, Arsenal forward Gabriel Jesus made his return against Club Brugge, admitting to a period of “doubting yourself” but insisting that his renewed faith has made him believe he will return stronger than ever.
Forward Gabriel Jesus made his long-awaited return for Arsenal in their 3-0 Champions League win against Club Brugge on Wednesday, ending an 11-month injury nightmare.
The 28-year-old, who ruptured his ACL in January, admitted the road to recovery was fraught with mental difficulty.
“It was 11 months, 11 months of doubting yourself,” Jesus said, questioning why the crushing injury happened just as he was hitting form.
Jesus revealed that finding strength in his faith was crucial to his physical and mental recovery. He stated, “If I didn’t hear the Bible every single day, I am 100 percent sure I would not have believed I could come back stronger than ever.”
He stressed that he now “believe[s] even more, because I’m a son of God,” following his successful return to action.
The Brazilian’s comeback is a significant boost for manager Mikel Arteta, who has faced recent selection problems.
Jesus is expected to feature as Arsenal host Wolves on Saturday, hoping to widen their two-point Premier League lead over Manchester City.
Jesus emphasized his role, adding, “More than experience, I can bring some difference to the players we have.”