Arsenal’s forgotten striker Gabriel Jesus recounts difficult recovery moments

Arsenal’s forgotten striker, Gabriel Jesus, has recounted his difficult moments during his recovery process after sustaining a ruptured Anterior Cruciate Ligament(ACL) in his left knee in the early embers of January 2025.

Gabriel Jesus returned to the fold for the first time for Arsenal on Wednesday in the Gunners’ 3-0 Champions League away win against Belgian giants Club Brugge.

The Brazilian international returned to the playing field after 11 months as a substitute in the 62nd minute and came close to completing a dream comeback, only to see his late shot hit the crossbar.

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The 28-year-old had fears during his recovery, and according to him, there was self-doubt at some point, but he insisted he could return from his injury nightmare better than ever.

“It was 11 months, 11 months of doubting yourself,” he said as he reflected on his spell on the sidelines. “My first thoughts were like, why? You always keep questioning why and the reason why.

“It wasn’t an easy season for me last season, and then, at the moment I stepped in and started to play, started to score goals and play good, this happened.

“So every single day for the first two or three weeks, I asked why it happened to me. And then I understood that I needed to be closer to Jesus, to God, to read the Bible. It helped me so much, you know, because it kept me believing that I’m a son of God and then I could do everything if I felt God’s plans.”

Gabriel Jesus is poised to return to the starting lineup—or at least the bench—when the Gunners welcome struggling Wolves this weekend, with Mikel Arteta’s side aiming to extend their lead at the Premier League summit to five points over red-hot Manchester City.

It has been 332 days since Gabriel last kicked a ball for Arsenal. The striker, who credits his faith with carrying him through the ordeal, says the long layoff gave him priceless time for reflection.

“Every single day, the first two or three weeks, I asked why it happened to me now,” he said. “And then after I could understand that I needed to be more close to Jesus, to God, to read the Bible.

“It helped me so much, because it kept me believing that I’m a son of God, and then I could do everything if I felt God’s plans. Because of God, I could stay 11 months, believing that I could come back good.

“I’m a different guy when I have a smile on my face. I’m 100% sure, and then obviously now I’m more experienced. I had 11 months of doubting, of stepping back and watching everything around me – that has helped me a lot.”

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