Arsenal will not change their plan for Folarin Balogun despite Gabriel Jesus suffering a fresh injury blow.
Mikel Arteta has confirmed that the Gunners will find a way to “adapt” to the Brazilian’s absence for the start of the Premier League season, due to a knee injury.
Balogun sat out the midweek Emirates Cup clash against Monaco having recently suffered from a foot problem, although even when fit he has not played a prominent role since returning from a starring loan spell at Reims.
Arsenal are, according to reports, holding out for £50million to sell the 22-year-old striker, with West Ham said to be interested.
“The plan with Flo doesn't change at all,” Arteta told reporters.
“But unfortunately, with Gabby, we’re not going to have him. We have other options to play with different qualities of players, so we will adapt.”
Jesus’ injury flared up earlier in pre-season, Arteta confirmed, following surgery on the same knee after he had suffered the initial issue at the World Cup.
“It's a big blow because we had him back to his best, especially with the way he played against Barcelona,” said the Gunners boss.
“And he was in good condition, and we've lost him. He's been feeling some discomfort in the last few weeks, we had to look at it and we had to make a decision and the best one is to protect the player and get him back as quickly as possible, so we decided to do it.”
