LEAP OF FAITH

Jesus return is up in the air as Mikel stays cool 

- NEIL McLEMAN

MIKEL ARTETA moved in mysterious ways over Gabriel Jesus last night, as he refused to say if the Brazil striker had travelled for the last-16 Europa League tie with Sporting Lisbon.

The Arsenal boss was only too happy to play down reports in the Spanish media linking him with the Real Madrid job next season.

But the Spaniard was less straightforward over £45m striker Jesus, who underwent surgery after suffering a knee injury at the World Cup.

Jesus was photographed training on the Emirates pitch on Saturday and again at London Colney yesterday morning, before the flight to Portugal.