We looked yesterday at the fact that Thomas Partey, injured since October, looks like he could be available for the Arsenal by the end of January.
Let’s set the numbers on all the dials, right across the board, to 11. We need that little extra push over the cliff, after all. Well, news out of Dubai, where the lads are training, is that it isn’t just Partey who’se returning to the fold to give us that push.
No, indeed. I daresay we’ll be returning to (something closely resembling) full-strength in no time. New signings? Who needs those? We have “new signings” at home!
Let’s start with a little bit of a Portugeuse entrada, just a little something to whet the appetite. Yes, Fábio VIeira was spotted in training in Dubai,
And it looks like the Portugeuse midfielder is well on his way to recovering from his November groin surgery. While Vieira hasn’t quite lived up to his £34m transfer fee just yet,
His return to fitness could give us vital options or at least (something resembling) depth on the right.
Arsenal looking to sign new players
If Vieira could at least occasionally slot in for Saka or Ødegaard, offering them respite and rest, his return could indeed prove to be vital to the run-in. Feeling peckish yet? That was but a mere morsel to the main courses.
Also seen training in Dubai was none other than Gabriel Jesus. Most recently, klaxons (based on Greek klazein “to roar”) sounded when the Brazilian suffered a knock to the knee summoning spectres of another long spell on the sideline after last season’s ACL surgery.
Even if Jesus hasn’t been as profliic in front of goal as we might need him to be, he adds dimensions to our attack.
To have him back means that we won’t have to rely as exclusively on Nketiah through the middle or on jerry-rigged alternatives such as trying Martinelli or Trossard there. If Jesus can overcome this latest knock,
He could come back rejuvenated and determined to overcome his reputation as a less-than-clinical finisher. What would it mean for him and for us? Surely, you’re dabbing the corners of your mouth with a napkin by now?
