After 332 agonizing days, Gabriel Jesus is back. His rapid return from a devastating ACL injury—which Mikel Arteta confirms was achieved because Jesus "kept telling everybody I am going to be earlier, earlier, earlier"—is a massive psychological lift for Arsenal. He is even eligible for the Champions League clash against Club Brugge after being hastily registered following a Max Dowman injury.Yet, the Arsenal team he returns to is not the same one he left.
In his absence, the Gunners were forced to evolve, spending heavily and unlocking new tactical solutions. For a striker who was once deemed the player who "changed our world" by Arteta, Jesus now returns to a very real and pressing dilemma: where does he fit?
The New Landscape: Competition at Centre-Forward
When Jesus last dominated the line, he was the undisputed number nine. Now, he faces a crowded forward rotation that he himself described as "far stronger" than when he arrived in 2022.
The £60M Challenger: Arsenal spent over £60 million to sign Viktor Gyökeres in the summer. The Swedish international, known for his relentless power and clinical finishing, has filled the goalscoring void admirably, often leading the line.
The Utility Striker: Mikel Merino has proven to be an effective, if unconventional, option up front when injuries hit, providing a solid goal threat and defensive work rate.
The Missing Piece: Kai Havertz is also due to return shortly from injury, adding another versatile forward to the mix.
The challenge for Jesus is that while he offers unique pressing intensity and link-up play that Gyökeres lacks, he also returns with a lower goal-scoring ratio (3 goals in the 2024/25 campaign before his injury) compared to the club's new signing.
The Tactical Evolution: From Centre to Flank?
Arteta is a flexible manager, and Jesus's future may not lie strictly at centre-forward, but rather in a hybrid, multi-positional role he mastered under Pep Guardiola.
The False Nine: If Arteta needs a creative presence to unlock a low block, Jesus's ability to drop deep, link play with Martin Ødegaard and Declan Rice, and drag centre-backs out of position is unmatched by his teammates.
The Right Flank Dynamo: Jesus has excellent history playing on the right wing. With Bukayo Saka facing immense workload pressure, Jesus could offer elite cover, giving Saka essential rest and injecting pace and aggressive pressing into the flank battles.
Impact Sub: Initially, at least, Jesus will likely be utilized as an impact substitute, using his infectious energy and desire to change the dynamic of games when opponents tire.
The Mental Challenge
Jesus has returned with a "different mindset," ready to fight for his place.
"I was in the best moment of my career... I was looking after all the areas in my life and I was feeling absolutely great. And then it happens. Now I know that it’s never enough."
His positive presence and energy are a huge boost in the dressing room. However, the true test will come when he is inevitably rotated or benched after playing consistently for so long.
For now, Gabriel Jesus is a massive boost to Arsenal’s squad depth as they chase trophies on two fronts. But for the player himself, the next six months are less about celebration and more about proving to Mikel Arteta, and himself, that he can still be the indispensable "world changer" he once was.
Should Mikel Arteta use Gabriel Jesus primarily as a centre-forward, or is his future on the right wing, rotating with Saka?