According to Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, Gabriel Jesus' recovery from a severe knee injury will help the club's quest for its first Premier League championship in 19 years.
With 13 games left in the season, Arteta's team leads Manchester City by five points at the top of the standings.
Since becoming hurt while representing Brazil at the World Cup in December, Jesus has been absent.
"He is currently not far away. He is doing some things with the club and outside the team, but I don't want to offer a deadline," Arteta added.
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"He is improving daily, and the physicians are pleased with how the injury is healing. Our relationship with him is good".
Jesus was essential to Arsenal's successful start to the season, but Eddie Nketiah has emerged as a capable stand-in to maintain the London club's title challenge.
Leandro Trossard, a January acquisition, has stepped up while Arsenal's goal-scoring performance from Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli has kept them in first place even though Nketiah has struggled with a minor ailment of his own in recent weeks.
If Jesus must now compete for a spot in the starting lineup, Arteta responded, "It is true that we need to see what level he is when he's back, how we're going to slot him in, how we're going to load him with minutes, and in which games.
He'll have to earn his spot like everyone else, but we know what Gaby can bring to the team.
After losing a top-of-the-table match last month, City briefly usurped Arsenal.
However, Arsenal has regained the lead after three straight victories over Aston Villa, Leicester, and Everton.
It's significant. Arteta commented on his team's resurgence before Saturday's match against struggling Bournemouth at the Emirates. "It gives you momentum, it gives you confidence, and it certainly puts you in a much better position in the league standings, which is the most important thing," he said.
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