Brazilian starlet Gabriel Jesus could be a surprise feature this Sunday in Manchester City’s FA Cup semi-final against Arsenal, according to City manager Pep Guardiola.
The 19-year-old striker joined City from Brazilian club Palmeiras in January for £27 million and got off to a hot start in first five games for City scoring three goals and setting up one.
His debut season for the Sky Blues looked to be cut short in February after suffering a metatarsal injury that looked to keep him out for the rest of the season in a 2-0 victory against Bournemouth.
However, he is said to have progressed very well since his injury and has recovered about a month earlier than expected, allowing him to join up with his teammates for Sunday’s fixture at Wembley.
Twitter: #PEP: Jesus is coming back, we are so happy. We are all going to travel to Wembley, and after the dinner we will decide the team. (@ManCity)
City have had a relatively easy ride to reach the FA Cup semi-finals this season, playing no team in the upper half of the Premier League table so far.
The Citizens have come up against, respectively, West Ham, Crystal Palace, Huddersfield, and Middlesbrough scoring 15 goals and conceding only one goal on their route to Wembley.
However, they should expect a much more competitive fixture against an Arsenal side that is hungry for another victory after beating Middlesbrough 2-1 in their first victory away from home since their FA Cup win in late February against non-league side Sutton United.
Guardiola is just one game away from a chance to win his first piece of silverware at the Manchester club and the return of the Brazilian will certainly be a big boost in his chances to win the cup.
