Ian Wright says Gabriel Jesus' return will 'fire up' Gabriel Martinelli form

Ian Wright, a former Arsenal player, thinks Gabriel Jesus' impending injury comeback will really 'fire up' his young compatriot Gabriel Martinelli.

For £45 million, Jesus moved to the Gunners from Manchester City last summer. He completely changed this Arsenal team, which is a key factor in their title contention.

A knee injury has prevented the Brazilian from playing for the Gunners since the World Cup, but he is anticipated to return very, very soon.

Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus, and Bukayo Saka, Arsenal's electric front three, were a major problem for defenders in the first half of the season. Arsenal has been outstanding from the beginning of the season.

Saka has been the one leading Arsenal, though, since Jesus' injury. Martinelli hasn't exactly performed poorly, but the 21-year-old international from Brazil hasn't been himself lately.

Jesus' absence could be a major contributing factor, though it may simply be a case of a decline in performance.

In the first half of the campaign, Martinelli and his fellow countryman worked together incredibly well. They frequently switched positions, used decoy runs to create space for one another, and simply confused the opposing defense with their movements.

The former Arsenal player thinks Martinelli could gain a lot once the team's number nine returns.

On the Wrighty's House Podcast, he said: “It (Jesus returning) is going to be a massive boost!

“When he comes back, that’s going to fire up Martinelli even more. I think Martinelli is the one that has missed out more with Jesus missing.”

While representing Brazil at the World Cup in the first week of December, Arsenal star Gabriel Jesus injured his knee. After undergoing surgery, the Brazilian was expected to miss three months of work.

Arsenal hasn't formally stated when Jesus will return to action, but with three months having passed since his surgery, there is optimism that he could play as early as next month. Jesus is indeed coming back in March, according to Football London, who have backed that claim.

Because of this, he cannot play against Leicester City this weekend; however, Arsenal will play Everton on March 1 and Bournemouth on March 4, respectively.