Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has expressed significant concern over Gabriel Jesus’ condition after the forward was stretchered off during the FA Cup clash against Manchester United on Sunday.
The Incident
Jesus, who has been in fine form recently, started the game on the right wing but was forced to exit before halftime following a collision with Bruno Fernandes and an awkward landing. The Brazilian appeared to be in severe pain, clutching his knee as he was taken off the field.
Arteta’s Reaction
Speaking after the match, Arteta shared his concerns:
“Big worry. That’s my feeling. He had to come off on a stretcher with a lot of pain. Touching his knee, it’s not looking good.”
However, Arteta confirmed that the injury does not appear to be a recurrence of the knee issue that sidelined Jesus for four months following the 2022 World Cup.
“I think it’s the other [knee]. The worrying factor is the feeling that he had. He had to come off and the pain that he was in,” Arteta added.
Implications for Arsenal
Jesus’ injury comes at a challenging time for the Gunners, who are already grappling with a depleted squad. Bukayo Saka and Ethan Nwaneri are out with muscle injuries, and Jesus’ recent hot streak—scoring six goals in his last seven appearances—has been pivotal.
Calls from fans for Arsenal to reinforce their attack in the January transfer window have grown louder. Despite the injury crisis, Arteta maintained his focus on the players currently available:
“I mean, we miss from various ways, from different plays. And I understand that, but I cannot love our players more. I focus very much 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.”
Looking Ahead
The severity of Jesus’ injury is yet to be determined, but Arsenal will anxiously await updates. With the Gunners competing on multiple fronts, including the Premier League title race, any extended absence for the Brazilian forward could prompt urgent action in the transfer market.
Arsenal fans and Arteta alike will hope for a swift recovery for Jesus as the club navigates a critical period of the season.
