(Reuters) – Arsenal forward Gabriel Jesus has endured a series of injury setbacks since the 2022 World Cup and the Brazil international said he cannot remember the last time he played pain-free.
The 27-year-old underwent knee surgery after sustaining an injury in Qatar before suffering three further setbacks due to knee-related issues.
With Arsenal top of the Premier League and set to face Bayern Munich in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final later on Tuesday, a fully fit Jesus could be a huge factor in the closing stages of the season.
“Sometimes I feel it (in my knee), I don’t remember the last day I played football without pain,” Jesus told reporters on Monday.
“Unfortunately, I’ve been having some problems and people don’t always see that. But mentally, I try to be strong in my mind.”
Jesus, who has scored eight goals in all competitions this season, said he is not worried about Arsenal signing a new striker in the close season.
“They already know if they want one or not. This might be a question for them. My job is to train hard and improve what I have to. Speculation will always be there,” he added.
After hosting Bayern in the Champions League, Arsenal welcome Aston Villa in the league on Sunday.
(Reporting by Shifa Jahan in Bengaluru; Editing by Peter Rutherford)
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