The real reason Gabriel Jesus has been left out of Arsenal’s Champions League squad has been revealed

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It is that time of year where Mikel Arteta has had to submit his squad list for Arsenal’s upcoming Champions League campaign.

Max Dowman has been named in the Champions League squad submitted to UEFA, meaning he could become the youngest player in the competition if he makes an appearance.

Arteta’s men came so close to creating club history by winning the competition for the first time last season as they were narrowly beaten in the semi-final by eventual winners PSG.

Eagle-eyed Arsenal fans would have noticed that Gabriel Jesus has not been named in the European squad despite being expected back to some action before the end of the calendar year. Journalist Charles Watts has explained the reason.

READ MORE: Nedum Onuoha says Mikel Arteta relies way too much on two Arsenal players

Arsenal not ‘rushing’ Gabriel Jesus back from ACL injury

Speaking on the latest episode of ‘Inside Arsenal’, Watts has explained that Arsenal are refusing to rush Jesus back from knee surgery and there has been no ‘setback’ in his recovery.

Jesus suffered an ACL injury during the FA Cup clash with Manchester United back in January and is now back on the grass working with a ball.

Eyebrows were raised by some fans when the Brazilian was omitted from the Champions League squad, however, it is just the club not wanting to put pressure on his return.

Watts stated: “Immediately in my mind goes to conspiracy theories and other people’s mind goes to conspiracy theories like what does this mean he’s leaving or Arsenal about to sell him or loan him and that’s why they didn’t bother include him?

“People said and I thought it as well like has there been a setback that we don’t know about yet that hasn’t emerged? Has he injured his knee again?

“Is he definitely not going to be available until the end of January? Is that why they haven’t included him? So immediately your mind goes to those conspiracy theories,

“But I’m told absolutely that is not the case. He is on his way back. He should be back by the end of the league phase, but Arsenal just didn’t want to rush it.

“If he could be back by with like two or three games to go, would he be fit really, you know, he’d be back available, but would he really really be fit to be able to start and make an impact in the Champions League? I’m just told that they just decided he’s not we don’t want to rush him.

“We don’t want to put any undue pressure on him and as long as he’s, you know, he’ll be included when knockout squads are submitted. And so there is, as far as I’m aware, there’s no conspiracy theory.”

Gabriel Jesus could yet play huge part for Arsenal this season

Jesus has been labelled as the most ‘skilful’ player in Arsenal’s squad by Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly.

If the Brazilian international can get himself fit once again, he could give Arteta’s side an injection of enthusiasm just at the right time towards the latter stages of the season.

Ian Wright loves Jesus and nobody will ever forget the initial impact he had on the team when he arrived alongside Oleksandr Zinchenko in 2022.

The season is just beginning and Jesus is as determined as ever to get back out on the pitch and show Gunners’ supporters exactly what they have been missing.