Gabriel Jesus has poured cold water on speculation linking him with a return to Palmeiras, insisting that while he still dreams of one day rejoining his boyhood club, any decision will be made “with Arsenal” and only when the time is right.
Speaking to Revista Placar, the 28-year-old striker made it clear that reports of talks with Brazilian sides were unfounded, stressing that his current focus remains entirely on regaining full fitness after a long injury layoff.
“There was never contact with another club,” Jesus said. “My wish, as I always say, is to return to Palmeiras. And Palmeiras also want me to come back.”
Arsenal striker rules out January exit
After nearly nine months sidelined with a serious knee injury, Jesus has only just returned to light training at London Colney. He told Placar that discussions of a January move are premature given his recovery stage.
“When I feel it’s the right time to go back to Palmeiras, I’ll decide that with Arsenal,” he explained. “But we’re talking about a player who has been out for nine months and is now fighting to return to the team. Some journalists speak without any basis.”
The forward also made clear that he intends to stay at the Emirates and complete his rehabilitation under Mikel Arteta’s guidance.
“After such a complex surgery, it makes no sense for me to leave the club now,” he added.
Recovery under careful management
Jesus suffered the knee injury earlier this year, marking the most significant setback of his career to date. He has spent much of his rehabilitation between Arsenal’s medical facilities and the Palmeiras training centre in São Paulo, where he continued physiotherapy and fitness work during the Premier League off-season.
Arteta’s staff are managing his workload closely, and the Brazilian is not expected to feature in competitive action until late 2025. The club remains cautious to avoid any recurrence of the issue that has disrupted his momentum since joining from Manchester City in 2022.
| Player Profile (2025/26) | Gabriel Jesus |
|---|---|
| Age | 28 |
| Position | Forward |
| Injury | Knee (Surgery) |
| Last Appearance | February 2025 |
| Expected Return | Late 2025 |
source: Revista Placar / Arsenal medical staff – 12 November 2025
Our View: Jesus focused on the right comeback
In our view, Jesus’ comments reflect a player grounded in realism and responsibility. Rather than rushing a romantic homecoming, he is prioritising his physical condition and long-term value to Arsenal. Arteta still views him as a vital presence within the dressing room — both for his experience and tactical versatility — and a fully fit Jesus could be a significant boost to Arsenal’s attacking depth next season.
While a Palmeiras reunion seems inevitable one day, both player and club understand that now is a time for patience, not sentiment.
Key Insights
- Gabriel Jesus denies contact with Palmeiras or any other club.
- The forward insists he will decide his future “with Arsenal” when fully fit.
- He is recovering from a serious knee injury suffered in early 2025.
- No January transfer is planned, as Jesus focuses on returning to full fitness.
- The striker expects to be back in contention by late 2025.
What’s Next
Jesus will continue his tailored recovery program with Arsenal’s medical and fitness teams. The Gunners hope to reintroduce him to full training before the end of the year, though competitive minutes remain some way off. His return could coincide with the latter stages of the 2025/26 season, offering a timely boost for Arsenal’s campaign run-in.
👉 Arsenal fans — do you see Gabriel Jesus reclaiming his starting spot when he returns, or has Arteta’s attack moved on without him?
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