Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has admitted there are major concerns for Gabriel Jesus after the striker was sidelined for Sunday’s FA Cup elimination against Manchester United.
Jesus started the match on the right flank after a string of recent games in form replacing Kai Havertz in the ‘number nine’ role. But the Brazilian had to retire before half-time after a collision with Bruno Fernandes and an awkward fall that left him very uncomfortable.
“Great concern. That’s my feeling,” Arteta reflected later.
“He had to go down on a stretcher in a lot of pain. Touching his knee, it doesn’t look good.”
The advantage for Arsenal at this stage is that it does not appear to be a repeat of the problem that jesus he suffered at the 2022 World Cup, which ruled him out for the better part of four months.
“I think it’s the other (knee). The worrying factor is the feeling I had. I had to go out and the pain I was in,” explained Arteta.
There were already clamors from supporters for arsenal strengthen with a new striker in the January transfer window, which has only increased after Jesus injury. Bukayo Saka and Ethan Nwaneri are already ruled out with muscle problems, while Jesus had scored six goals in his last seven appearances. Anyway, the Gunners have been without a true centre-forward for a while.
Arteta downplayed the situation, insisting again that he continues to trust and focus on the players he still has at his disposal and stressing that he does not control the possible recruitment.
“I mean, we miss in different ways, different plays. And I understand that, but I couldn’t love our players more. And I’m really focused on what we have to do at the highest level. That’s it. The rest. it’s not in our hands, it’s in my hands,” he said.
