Arsenal star Gabriel Jesus is 'bang on schedule' as the Emirates Stadium favourite continues to battle his way back to full fitness, injury expert Ben Dinnery has told GiveMeSport.
The Gunners may have suffered a 1-0 defeat to strugglers Everton at the weekend, but boss Mikel Arteta may be able to call upon Jesus in the not-too-distant future.
GiveMeSport Injury News
Arsenal injury news - Gabriel Jesus
Jesus has handed Arsenal a boost as, according to MailOnline, he told former MMA fighter Khabib Nurmagomedov that he could be back in action before the end of the month.
The report suggests the striker may be in contention to return ahead of schedule after Arteta has kept his cards close to his chest.
Jesus suffered a knee injury during Brazil's World Cup group stage clash with Cameroon, which ruled him out of the remainder of the tournament.
The setback resulted in the 25-year-old having to undergo surgery in December and he has not featured for Arsenal since.
Following the injury, Dinnery told GiveMeSport that Jesus could be on the sidelines for up to 14 weeks.
What has Ben Dinnery said about Jesus?
Dinnery believes Jesus' prediction of being back within a matter of weeks means he is on course to return to action on schedule.
But the injury news journalist has hinted that Arteta may opt against rushing the Brazilian back into the starting line-up.
Dinnery told GiveMeSport: "Mikel Arteta was always fairly vague on the timescale of Jesus' injury, but my understanding was around that three month period and potentially extending to closer towards four months.
"That fits with that because he picked up that injury in Qatar and that was at the beginning of December.
"As a guide, you would say he is bang on schedule in targeting that, but it really depends on how Arsenal are doing as to whether they rush him back into the team."
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How have Arsenal performed without Jesus?
Eddie Nketiah has been in tremendous form in Jesus' absence, with Transfermarkt statistics showing he has scored nine goals this season.
The 23-year-old has played a pivotal role in Arsenal remaining at the top of the Premier League, while second-placed Manchester City are the only side in the division to have been more prolific.
FBref data highlights that Nketiah has scored more goals and got away a greater number of shots per 90 minutes than Jesus since the campaign got underway, further emphasising that he has been a more than capable understudy.
But there is no doubt that Jesus' return to the fray, having made the £45million switch from Manchester City last summer, will come as a welcome boost as Arsenal look to close in on the title.
The Brazilian, who is on a contract worth £265,000-per-week, has found the back of the net 63 times in the Premier League and his return to full fitness could be vital in the Gunners' pursuit of being crowned champions.
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