Gabriel Jesus enjoys chilly training session ahead of Europa League tie vs Sporting but Arsenal missing THREE big names
GABRIEL JESUS took part in a frozen Arsenal training session ahead of their clash with Sporting Lisbon.
The Gunners are preparing for the first leg of their Europa League last-16 tie in Portugal on Thursday evening.
And they will be buoyed by the return of Brazilian Jesus, 25, who is back training with the rest of Mikel Arteta’s squad.
The former Manchester City man has been sidelined with a ligament injury since the World Cup.
And while he is not expected to feature until after the international break, his progress will lift the mood of the camp even more.
But Arsenal are facing a nervous wait on three of their players after they failed to take part in training 24 hours before the clash with Sporting.
Kieran Tierney (illness), Eddie Nketiah and Leandro Trossard (both injured) were all absent from the session on Wednesday.
And it could mean Saturday’s hero Reiss Nelson is given an opportunity from the start.
Nelson, 23, scored a dramatic late winner to clinch a 3-2 victory over Bournemouth.
And Arteta will now be hoping they can carry the momentum of four Premier League wins in a row into European competition.
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Arsenal topped their group so did not have to come through the play-off round of the Europa League.
They are among the favourites to lift the trophy along with Manchester United and Juventus.
But managing European demands along with the Premier League could prove tough as they go deeper in the competition.
Domestically, the Gunners hold a five-point lead over Manchester City with 12 games remaining.