Arsenal have confirmed that Gabriel Jesus suffered an ACL injury in Sunday's FA Cup defeat to Manchester United and will undergo surgery in the coming days.
An Arsenal statement read: “In addition to being substituted during our match against Manchester United on Sunday, Gabriel Jesus has undergone extensive assessments, scans and specialist examinations which have confirmed that he has suffered an ACL injury in his left knee.”
“Gabby will undergo surgery in the coming days and will soon begin a 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 ensure she is back to full fitness as soon as possible.”
The injury means Jesus is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines, with the typical recovery time for an ACL tear around nine months, and leaves Arsenal with just one recognized striker in Kai Havertz.
Sky Sports News understands Arsenal are working hard behind the scenes to sign a striker in the January transfer window. They explored both long-term goals and short-term options even before Jesus' injury.
The Brazil international has scored six goals in his last seven appearances 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 would be naive not to do that. There is an opportunity to improve the composition.
“We are looking and trying. Let's see what we are able to do. When you recruit a player there are three sides. We also have our limitations, we can do what we can.”
When asked whether a striker is a priority or not, he added: “In any position.
Kai Havertz missed chances for Arsenal against Man Utd
“We have other problems. A player can bring things to the team in different ways. That's what we try to do.”
Jesus, 27, has seen his Arsenal career blighted by injury since arriving from Manchester City in 2022 and is now set for an extended spell, with fellow strikers Bukayo Saka and Ethan Nwaneri also currently sidelined.
Jesus started the cup draw against United but was sent off after just 41 minutes.
Arsenal continue their Premier League campaign at home to Tottenham on Wednesday, kick-off at 8pm and free-to-air coverage available on Sky Sports' digital platforms after full-time.
How much will Arsenal miss Jesus?
Sky Sports' Richard Morgan:
Since swapping Man City for Arsenal in July 2022, Jesus has never been able to sustain a regular lead 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 Brazil international has played 96 of the club's 132 games in all competitions, a rate of 75 per cent.
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Highlights of the Carabao Cup quarter-final between Arsenal and Crystal Palace, with Jesus on the scoresheet
Jesus has never made more than 27 Premier League appearances in a season. Despite an impressive recent run of six goals in his last seven Arsenal appearances, the striker's most Premier League goals came in his debut campaign in north London, when he netted 11 goals – also his best tally for the campaign.
Jesus' latest injury leaves Arteta without a recognized striker going into the Premier League title after letting both Eddie Nketiah join Crystal Palace last summer, while winger Reiss Nelson left for Fulham on a season-long loan.
Arsenal's summer deal under scrutiny
Sky Sports' Nick Wright:
Arsenal's main off-season recruits were Mikel Merino and Riccardo Calafioriwith Raheem Sterling comes later on loan. All three have struggled to make a positive impact, with Merino and Calafiori making just 12 starts each and Sterling just five.
Injuries didn't help. All three encountered problems, with Calafiori suffering another setback that ruled him out on Sunday. But there are still question marks over them regardless of the injuries. Were they really what Arsenal needed to take them to the next level?
Merino, for example, brought aerial prowess and duel-winning ability to Arsenal's midfield when it arguably needed more creativity and goal threat, especially after selling Emile Smith Rowe to Fulham and allowed Fabio Vieira to join Porto on loan.
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 it's damning that Arteta rarely spoke to him, even when he was fit. Halfway through his spell, he played a paltry 146 Premier League minutes.
He is likely to be needed now, with Jesus joining the injured list. But, like Merino and Calafiori, he has work to do to show 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 apparent that the only solutions to their attacking woes lie in the transfer market. The problem is that the January window is far more difficult to navigate than the summer window.
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