The mid-season break for the World Cup has thrown up many different possibilities for the domestic season, with an unknown factor to how teams will return. Arsenal will be the happiest side of the bunch in the Premier League heading into it, sitting top of the table and five points clear of Manchester City in second.
However, the issue of not knowing how sides return could completely change the outcome of the campaign, though that may not be in favour of the Gunners. That's because key player Gabriel Jesus has picked up an injury while competing in the World Cup for his nation Brazil.
The 25-year-old picked up a knee injury in the final group game against Cameroon, with reports at first claiming that three-to-four weeks could be the time out, however new reports from Brazil claims it could be three months. That would see him sidelined until the tail end of the season.
READ MORE: Gabriel Jesus best and worst case injury scenario revealed with Arsenal set to make announcement
It will come as a huge blow to Mikel Arteta as, despite the striker's struggles to find the back of the net as of late, his importance in their general play has been huge. "Individual actions make a difference in football and Gabriel Jesus is doing them week in, week out," the Spaniard told Sky Sports earlier this season. "He was involved in the goals and his contributions to the team have been outstanding. He's still 25 so he can improve his level a lot. He is hungry enough and has huge desire to get better and better."
However, his injury has now highlighted a danger previously predicted by Gary Neville in the season, claiming there would be trouble if Jesus is missing. The former Manchester United defender said: "I think Jesus gets injured, you are done. What Jesus has done upfront is that he’s made the team better. They are fantastic really in all departments, Arsenal.”
While Arsenal sweat over the full diagnoses of the injury and the timespan he is out for, Arteta will have the task of finding solutions in the squad or even the January transfer market, should they wish to keep competing at the top.
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