Due to an ankle injury, teenage sensation Max Dowman will be out of Arsenal’s Champions League team for the remainder of 2025. Although it is a disappointing setback for the intelligent youngster, the development has paved the way for Gabriel Jesus’ eagerly anticipated return.
Since suffering a devastating ACL tear during an FA Cup match against Manchester United on January 12, 2025, Jesus, 28, has not played competitively for Arsenal. After months of rehabilitation, the Brazilian forward is finally back in full training and was recently included on the bench for Arsenal’s London derbies against Chelsea and Brentford.
Manager Mikel Arteta opted to leave Jesus out of the squad that lost 2–1 at Aston Villa on Saturday, instead sending him to feature in a behind-closed-doors Under-21 friendly against Manchester United to build up match sharpness. Ironically, that same match saw Max Dowman—alongside former Gunner Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain—pick up the ankle injury that has now sidelined him until at least February.
Taking advantage of a new UEFA regulation that allows one mid-season squad replacement in cases of long-term injury or illness, Arsenal moved swiftly to register Jesus in Dowman’s place. Similar provisions have already benefited clubs like Chelsea and Liverpool, who added Facundo Buonanotte and Federico Chiesa earlier this campaign.
Jesus is now officially eligible to face Club Brugge on Wednesday night, though Arteta may still choose to ease him back cautiously given the striker’s lengthy absence. Arsenal’s passage to the Champions League knockouts is already virtually guaranteed after a flawless start—five wins from five—but Brugge’s spirited displays this season serve as a warning that no opponent can be taken lightly.
As for Dowman, Arsenal have not disclosed the full extent of his injury, though UEFA’s regulations mean that any player withdrawn for medical reasons must miss at least 60 days before being re-registered. The Gunners can add him back to their Champions League list in January, but he won’t be eligible to play again until February 6, 2026—by which point Arsenal’s league phase campaign will be over.
If all goes according to plan, both Max Dowman and Jesus could form part of a fully fit attacking unit when the Champions League last-16 kicks off in March, marking a potential new chapter in Arsenal’s quest for European glory.
