Arsenal have confirmed that Gabriel Jesus was injured in Sunday’s FA Cup defeat to Manchester United and will undergo surgery in the coming days.
“After being substituted in our match against Manchester United on Sunday, Gabriel Jesus underwent extensive assessments, scans and specialist reviews which confirmed that he has suffered anterior cruciate ligament damage in his left knee.
“Gabby will undergo surgery in the next few days and will soon begin his recovery and rehabilitation program.
“We will continue to keep everyone updated on Gabby’s recovery and everyone at the club is fully focused on supporting Gabby to get back to full fitness as soon as possible.”
The injury means Jesus faces a long spell on the sidelines, with a typical recovery time for an ACL tear of around nine months, leaving Arsenal with just one established striker in Kai Havertz.
Sky Sports News Arsenal are understood to be working hard behind the scenes to sign a striker in the January transfer window.They were exploring both long-term targets and short-term options even before Jesus’ injury.
The Brazil international has scored six goals in his last seven games for Arsenal, who sold striker Eddie Nketiah to Crystal Palace in the summer.
“We are actively looking in the market to improve the squad,” Arteta said earlier this week.
“We are looking and trying. Let’s see what we can do. When you recruit a player, we have our limitations as well. We can do what we can do.”
When pressed for an answer on whether or not to prioritize, he added: “In any position.
Kai Havertz missed chances for Arsenal against Manchester United
“We have other problems. A player can bring a team in different ways. That’s what we try to do.”
Jesus, 27, has seen his Arsenal career blighted by injury since joining from Manchester City in 2022 and is now set to extend his career, with fellow strikers Bukayo Saka and Ethan Nwaneri also ruled out.
Jesus started the cup game against United but was forced off after just 41 minutes.
Arsenal continue their Premier League campaign at home to Tottenham on Wednesday, kick-off at 8pm with free-to-air highlights available on Sky Sports’ digital platforms at full-time.
How much will “Arsenal” miss Jesus?
Sky Sports’ Richard Morgan.
Since swapping Manchester City for Arsenal in July 2022, Jesus has never been able to make a regular run for Arteta’s side due to a combination of injuries, including a knee problem at the 2022 World Cup and a lack of goals.
In fact, since making his Arsenal debut, the Brazilian has played in 96 of the club’s 132 games in all competitions, a rate of 75 per cent.
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Highlights from Arsenal v Crystal Palace Carabao Cup quarter-final with Jesus on the scoresheet.
Jesus has never made more than 27 Premier League appearances in a season.Despite an impressive run of six goals in his last seven games for Arsenal, the forward’s highest Premier League tally came in his debut campaign in north London when he scored 11, which is also his best. in one season.
Jesus’ latest injury has left Arteta’s side without a recognized striker for the Premier League title after they both let Eddie Nketiah join Crystal Palace last summer and winger Reiss Nelson left for Fulham on a season-long loan.
Arsenal’s summer business is under scrutiny
Sky Sports’ Nick Wright.
Arsenal’s main signings came in the off-season Mikel Merino and: Ricardo Calafioriwith Raheem Sterling arriving on loan later All three have struggled to make a positive impact, with Merino and Calafiori making just 12 starts each and Sterling five.
Injuries did not help. All three have had issues, and Calafiori suffered another setback that ruled him out on Sunday, but there are question marks over them regardless of the injuries. Were they really what Arsenal needed to get to the next level?
Merino, for example, brought aerial power and the ability to win a duel to Arsenal’s midfield when it perhaps needed more creativity and goal threat, especially when sold. Emil Smith Rowe Fulham and allowed Fabio Vieira join Porto for rent.
Raheem Sterling has struggled to make an impact at Arsenal.
The club hoped that Sterling could bring those qualities to the attack when they took the opportunity to sign him on loan. But damn Arteta has rarely turned to him, even when he has been fit. He has spent little in the Premier League 146 minutes.
He will likely be needed now that Jesus has joined the injury list, but like Merino and Calafiori, he has work to do to show that he can give Arsenal and Arteta what they need.
Arteta spoke of his “love” for his players after Sunday’s defeat, but it is becoming increasingly clear that the only solution to their attacking woes lies in the transfer market.The problem is that the January window is much tougher to navigate than the summer :
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