Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has admitted there are major concerns about Gabriel Jesus after the forward was stretchered off during the match Sunday’s FA Cup match against Manchester United.
Jesus started the game on the right flank after a number of recent matches in form, replacing Kai Havertz in the ‘number nine’ role. But the Brazilian had to be withdrawn before half-time after a collision with Bruno Fernandes and an awkward fall that left him in considerable discomfort.
“Great concern. That’s my feeling,” Arteta reflected afterwards.
“He had to go out on a stretcher in a lot of pain. Touching the knee, it doesn’t look good.”
The silver lining for Arsenal at this stage is that the problem does not appear to be recurring Jesus suffered at the 2022 World Cup, keeping him sidelined for the better part of four months.
“I think it’s the other [knee]. The worrying factor is the feeling he had. He had to release himself because of the pain he was suffering,” Arteta explained.
There have already been noises from supporters for Arsenal reinforce with a new striker during the January transfer window, which only increased after Jesus injury. Bukayo Saka and Ethan Nwaneri have already been ruled out with muscle problems, while Jesus has scored six times in his last seven appearances. The Gunners have lacked a true centre-forward for some time anyway.
Arteta downplayed the situation, insisting again that he continues to trust and focus on the players he still has at his disposal and points out that he does not control potential recruitment.
“I mean, we miss in different ways, from different games. And I understand that, but I can’t love our players more. And I really focus on the ones that we have to perform at the highest level. That’s it. The rest is not in our hands, in my hands “, he said.
READ THE LATEST ARSENAL NEWS, TRANSFER RUMORS AND GOSSIP
