Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta gave a team injury update during his pre-match press conference ahead of their game against Bournemouth on Saturday, discussing the progress of several players who have been dealing with problems.

Arteta was optimistic about Gabriel Jesus’ recovery, stating that he was not far from returning to the pitch.

The Brazilian forward suffered a knee injury that required surgery, but Arteta said that Jesus had been doing well in his rehabilitation and was feeling better every day. While he did not give a specific timeline for Jesus’ return, Arteta suggested that he was confident in the player’s progress.

“He’s not far now,” Arteta said.

“I don’t want to give a timeline but he’s doing certain things with the team and certain things outside the team.

“He’s not very close but he’s not far at all. He’s feeling better every day and the doctors are confident with the way the injury is evolving. We are in a good place with him, I think.

“I think it’s [his recovery] been pretty straightforward.

“At the beginning, we were really concerned with the possible extent of the injury because we were talking about a few options there.

“Thankfully it wasn’t that bad, but it was a long-term injury, it required surgery and it’s not [pleasant], especially the first few weeks. But knowing Gaby, he’s been through that before.

“His mentality is incredible and the team has done a really good job with him to put him in the position he’s in today.”

Arteta also mentioned that Eddie Nketiah’s situation ahead of the game against Bournemouth was “uncertain”, and the team was assessing him. The young striker has been carrying an injury for a while now. Arteta said that they would keep their options open regarding Nketiah’s recovery.

“We are assessing him and it’s a bit uncertain what’s going to happen with him, to be honest,” Arteta said. “Let’s see and keep the options open. He’s very positive about it, so hopefully he will be fine.”

In addition, Arteta confirmed that Jorginho had recovered and was fit to play. The midfielder had been suffering from an illness, but put in a “great shift” in the first half of the previous game against Everton before being taken off.

“Jorgi’s fine,” Arteta said. “He had an illness and he was suffering but to be fair, he put in a great effort and shift in the first half [against Everton]. We decided to take him off but he’s fit now.”