BREAKING: Mikel Arteta explains Arsenal stars' full-time gesture to 'emotional' team-mate

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta (Image: TNT Sports)

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has hailed the special moment between Gabriel Jesus and his teammates following his long-awaited return from injury in Wednesday's 3-0 win over Club Brugge.

Jesus came on in the 62nd minute for the Gunners, 11 months after he ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee. After the win in Belgium, Jesus was visibly emotional and was greeted with hugs from his teammates.

Asked about the moment, Arteta said: “Yeah, especially when you get injured then everyone reaches out to you, then you get surgery and everyone is fully behind you.

"Then there is a moment when you are alone almost and you have to go through a lot of pain and difficult moments and uncertainty. He’s done that a few times in his career already and he’s shown his mental toughness and how much he loves to play football and we are all delighted to have him back.”

Jesus replaced Max Dowman in Arsenal's UEFA A list with immediate effect this week after the teenager picked up an ankle injury on Saturday. The Brazilian sustained the injury in the FA Cup defeat to Manchester United at the start of the year.

He returned to the squad last month and continued his recovery in a behind-closed-doors friendly. After being named in the matchday squad against Chelsea and Brentford, Jesus returned to the pitch in Belgium.

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