GABRIEL READY TO START AGAIN AFTER 'MENTAL COLLAPSE'

Gunners striker is set to put '300 terrible days in a row' behind him with final step in recovery

- BY TOM CANTON

MIKEL ARTETA says Gabriel Jesus is ready to finally start for Arsenal tonight.

But it is not just about tonight, or last week, or this week. It is about the journey and what the Brazil striker brings to the club.

A place in the Carabao Cup semifinals against Chelsea is at stake and a moment of redemption for Jesus, who has not started a game for Arsenal since January 12.

He has been working his way back to match fitness and made his third substitute appearance in Saturday’s victory against Everton.

Jesus revealed his emotions with a message on The Players Tribune website. In it he said: “For me, a day without football is a terrible day. It's been that way since I learned to kick a ball.

‘After I tore my ACL, I had 300 bad days in a row. When the doctor told me that I would be out 12 months, I mentally collapsed. Thank God, what saved me during that time was my family. I think without them, I would have gone crazy.”

The injury came in the 1-1 draw with Manchester United in the FA Cup third round at the Emirates.