Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has admitted he has major concerns for Gabriel Jesus after the striker left on a stretcher. Sunday's FA Cup match against Manchester United.
Jesus started the game on the right wing after a number of recent in-form games that filled Kai Havertz in the 'number nine' role. But the Brazilian had to retire before half-time after a collision with Bruno Fernandes and a hard fall that left him in considerable discomfort.
“Great concern. That's my feeling,” Arts reflected afterwards.
“He had to go out on a stretcher in a lot of pain. Touching his knee, it doesn't look good.”
The silver lining for Arsenal at this stage is that it doesn't appear to be a repeat of the problem that Jesus 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 he had. He had to leave and the pain he had,” Arteta explained.
There were already calls from supporters for Arsenal to strengthen with a new striker in the January transfer window, who have only been added after Jesus injury. Bukayo Saka and Ethan Nwaneri have already been ruled out with muscle problems, while Jesus had scored six times in his last seven appearances. The Gunners have lacked a true centre-forward for some time anyway.
Arteta dismissed the situation, again insisting that he continues to believe and focus on the players he still has available and stressing that he is not in control of potential recruitments.
“I mean, we miss them in different ways, in different games. And I understand that, but I couldn't love our players more. And I focus a lot on who we have to play at the highest level. This that's it. The rest is not in our hands, in my hands,” he said.