Mark Schwarzer feels Gabriel Jesus had flashes of the striker Arsenal saw at the start of the season against Sporting Lisbon. The Europa League tie was his first start since November.
Arsenal welcomed Jesus back into Mikel Arteta’s XI for the second leg of their Round of 16 meeting on Thursday. The 25-year-old had not opened a fixture in any competition for the Gunners since before the World Cup. He sustained a serious knee injury whilst with Brazil.
Jesus suffered medial ligament damage during the group stage in Qatar and also required an operation. The striker made his long-awaited return to action as a late substitute away to Fulham in the Premier League last Sunday. Arteta then handed him a start on Thursday.
Jesus proved a lively presence on his return to the Arsenal XI against Sporting
A costly first half with issues for Takehiro Tomiyasu and William Saliba saw Arteta forced to replace Jesus at half-time. The Arsenal boss only had one substitution window left for the second half. So, he chose to play the Brazilian’s return with caution to avoid another issue.
Jesus had enjoyed a promising appearance before the break with the 59-cap international playing with high intensity. He proved to be very lively while the Gunners led Sporting 1-0 through Granit Xhaka’s goal. But the Liga Portugal team would reply in the second period.
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Schwarzer believes Arteta was wise to avoid Jesus suffering another injury
Arsenal struggled to find a second goal without Jesus on the field while Sporting controlled much of the second half. Neither team could then find an effort to avoid penalties, which the Liga Portugal team won with Gabriel Martinelli missing the only attempt during the shootout.
Arteta could take some joy from Jesus’ performance against Sporting, which Schwarzer felt showed signs of the striker Arsenal had earlier this season. The attacker was instrumental to the Gunners following his £45m transfer from Manchester City with his frantic movements.
Jesus dragged opposition defences apart to create space for Bukayo Saka and Martinelli to exploit before his injury. He also offered five goals and six assists across 14 Premier League appearances. So, Schwarzer adds that Arteta was wise to ensure he avoided another issue.
“I think Gabriel Jesus was given 45 minutes under his belt,” Schwarzer said on BBC Radio 5 Live. “He showed moments of being the Jesus from the start of the season, and now it is about wrapping him in cotton wool for the rest of the season.”
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