Gabriel Jesus nears return as Arsenal prepare to take on Sunderland

VIDEO SHOWS: ARSENAL MANAGER MIKEL ARTETA SPEAKING AHEAD OF PREMIER LEAGUE MATCH AT SUNDERLAND RESENDING WITH COMPLETE SCRIPT SHOWS: LONDON COLNEY, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (NOVEMBER 7, 2025) (NICHE MEDIA – Access all) 1. (SOUNDBITE) (English) ARSENAL MANAGER MIKEL ARTETA ON GABRIEL JESUS, SAYING:     (Reporter Question: "Fantastic boost to see Gabriel Jesus on the training pitch yesterday. You said, him and the other four or five injuries that you've got, are not available for tomorrow, but how long before do you think Gabriel could be back in the reckoning?")     "I don't know, now is about making the steps day by day in a different surrounding. Obviously, he's been doing everything on his own, now he's got players around him, very competitive players around him and see how he copes with that, but he's full of energy. I love the reaction of all his teammates when he's first joined us and yeah, great to have him back." 2. WHITE FLASH 3. (SOUNDBITE) (English) ARSENAL MANAGER MIKEL ARTETA ON TRYING TO WIN THE PREMIER LEAGUE, SAYING:     (Q: "I think I've worked out there's only one team in the Premier League that probably can stop you achieving your goal this year and winning the Premier League and I want to know if you agree, and that team's Arsenal.")     "No, I don't agree. I'm sorry, because any team has the capacity and I'm sure the belief as well that that they can do it. So we are fully aware of that. We know our strength, we know the things that we have to improve as well and we just (need to) focus on that." 4. WHITE FLASH 5. (SOUNDBITE) (English) ARSENAL MANAGER MIKEL ARTETA ON USING AI, SAYING:     (Q: "Obviously, we see it in all industries now, but do you think in football we're going to see an increased use of AI in the future?")     "Yeah, I don't know just to make a decision there but I think, yeah, it's a tool that is super powerful if you use it in the right way and if you ask the right questions especially. So, yeah, it's in use already for many things and many processes that can help not (just) a team but an organisation as well and I think it will improve and it will give us good insight of things that we at least need to think about." 6. WHITE FLASH 7. (SOUNDBITE) (English) ARSENAL MANAGER MIKEL ARTETA ON SUNDERLAND, SAYING:     (Q: "Just on Sunderland, they're obviously having a really great season this year and I think only your side have conceded less goals in the Premier League so far. Has it surprised you just how good they've been, particularly at the back and I guess what are you expecting from them overall at the weekend?")     "Well, not surprised when you analyse them and you see how well organised they are, how they adjust things, the spirit that they have within the team. I'm not surprised because they fully deserve the position that they have at the moment. So, we know the type of game that we expect to play tomorrow and where the opportunities are and the things that we have to do very well to beat them, and that's what we're going to try to do." STORY: Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta expressed hope on Friday (November 7) as Brazilian forward Gabriel Jesus nears a comeback from a 10-month absence after injuring his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his left knee back in January. Arteta didn't give a precise return date for Jesus, but hinted one of his missing players could be set for an early return against Saturday's (November 8) opponent Sunderland, with the Gunners aiming to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League table. Arsenal sit six points clear of Manchester City after 10 matches, while Sunderland, currently fourth, have impressed this season, conceding fewer goals than any team except Arsenal. Arteta also dismissed suggestions that Arsenal are their own biggest obstacle in the quest for the Premier League title. Asked whether he agreed with the notion that only his side could stop their pursuit of the championship, Arteta credited the team's rivals, saying they all had the self-belief and ability to win. The Gunners' clash with Sunderland comes as Manchester City, in second place, host reigning champions Liverpool in another pivotal fixture that could shape the title race. Elsewhere, Arteta spoke about the increasing role of artificial intelligence in football, calling it a "super powerful" tool if used correctly. (Production: Mussab Al-Khairalla)

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