Arsenal behind-closed-doors friendly accidentally 'confirmed' as injured star prepares return

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Mikel Arteta confirmed that there could be a behind-closed-doors friendly for Gabriel Jesus as the Brazilian returns to full fitness

Arsenal welcomed back two of their key players for the North London Derby in the form of Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli. The pair have been missing for several weeks, but Mikel Arteta had both at his disposal with the England winger getting on for the final 15 minutes.

Speaking ahead of the derby in his pre-match press conference, Arteta had hinted that some could make the return. Kai Havertz, Viktor Gyokeres and Martin Odegaard were all pushing to return in addition to the aforementioned forwards.

“Yeah, we put a lot of energy during the international break with all the medical staff as well to try to bring them as quick as possible,” he said. “So tomorrow we have another training session, see how some of them are feeling, whether it's a bit too close to bring them in this game, or we feel that they can have a contribution in the game.”

With Bayern Munich and Chelsea to come, the festive period of December will put the most strain on the team so far. Therefore, getting back the players who have been missing is

Gabriel Jesus is another player hoping to return, having been training with the first team for some time now. Interestingly, Arteta appeared to confirm that a behind-closed-doors friendly or match will be used to help the Brazilian striker.

“Very good,” Arteta said. “He's doing everything with the team at the moment for the last almost two weeks.

“We're going to give him some exposure as well internally with some games, so he gets that fitness. But he looks really good in training, and he's going to be a big addition to the team.”

Unlike during the international break, when teams can organise friendlies with other clubs as Arsenal have done in the past and as Spurs have done this very season, the next break isn’t until March. Jesus cannot even play in an under-21s youth game as the season has paused for their winter break.

However, Jesus could be involved in games put on internally with some of the returning players and the youth teams. With Mikel Merino starting yet again up top at the weekend, Arteta getting back his natural striker options will be a huge boost this winter.