MIKEL Arteta has vowed to manage Gabriel Jesus and Emile Smith Rowe’s minutes as the duo continue to find their feet following long-term injuries.

Having recovered from successful knee surgery, Jesus made his first appearance for the club since November on Sunday when he came on as a late substitute in the Gunners’ 3-0 victory at Fulham. Smith Rowe has also featured from the bench since returning from a groin operation.

But while taking a cautious approach with the pair, Arteta has also warned them that they will have to fight for their place in the team.

Ironically, Jesus and Smith Rowe are being kept out of the starting line-up by the same man – Leandro Trossard.

The Belgian has been in sensational form since joining in January. He has displayed great versatility alternating with Gabriel Martinelli as a false nine, while he can also drift out to the left-wing and also operate effectively in the middle of the park.

Offering Smith Rowe some reassurance, Arteta said: “He knows how much we love him and how much we missed him and how much we need his qualities. Now he needs to prove it. He needs to prove how much he wants to win and how much he’s going to contribute to this team.

“We have to manage his load, but for sure, he’s in a position where we can use him in the team at any moment. Then it’s about how he’s coping with the game in general, and whether to take him off or use him for the last few minutes.”

It seems the same goes for Jesus, who has returned to action at just the right time, with Arteta revealing that another of Arsenal’s strikers – Eddie Nketiah – is “still a few weeks away” from full fitness after suffering an ankle injury.

“It was great to see Gabby back,” said the Gunners boss. “You can feel the happiness of everyone around him – the supporters, players and staff. We missed him and now he’s back.

“We have to manage his minutes and we have to manage his involvement in the squad and in the team. But Gabby is feeling good every day that he’s training. He says that his senses are getting better and better, so that’s really positive.”

After seeing the Brazilian get the best part of 20 minutes under his belt at Craven Cottage last weekend, Arteta made it clear that nobody’s place in the team is guaranteed.

Reflecting on Jesus’s second coming, Arteta said: “Now he needs to earn his place like anyone else in the team. We have alternatives that can play in different positions and we have different roles to fill in relation to the chemistry of the players and what we ask them to do. It’s a great problem to have, believe me.”