Arsenal star Gabriel Jesus is set to be out of action until February after he suffered a serious knee injury during the World Cup. The 25-year-old has been influential since arriving at the Emirates Stadium in the summer transfer window.
Jesus won four Premier League title during his time with Manchester City but was allowed to leave the club following the arrival of Erling Haaland at the Etihad Stadium. The Brazilian striker reunited with Mikel Arteta at Arsenal and has already notched 13 goal contributions in 20 appearances for the Gunners.
Jesus' absence could hinder Arsenal's Premier League title challenge against his former side, despite the north London outfit holding a five-point advantage over City at the top of the table. Arteta has hinted that the Gunners may dip into the transfer market in January to find a short-term replacement for their star striker as they look to pick up where they left off before the World Cup.
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Jesus proved to be a brilliant signing for City as he went on to score 95 goals in 236 appearances under Guardiola. Speaking ahead of City’s Carabao Cup clash with Liverpool on Thursday, Guardiola offered his support for his former striker and admitted he would 'prefer that he could play immediately'.
The City manager said: “I am so sorry for Gabriel. I would prefer that he could play immediately with Arsenal.
"He’s an important player for them, like he was for us. I want him to have an incredible and speedy recovery – I am so sorry for him because I know there isn’t one person at this club who could speak badly about him, but he will be back.”
Jesus was taken off after suffering a medial cruciate ligament injury during Brazil's final Group G fixture against Cameroon at the World Cup in Qatar. The 25-year-old endured the same injury during his time at City, but on this occasion he required surgery and now looks set to be absent until February.
Mykhaylo Mudryk and Joao Felix have both been linked with moves to Arsenal in the January transfer window as Arteta weighs up how to fill the void left by Jesus after his injury. The Gunners' squad is seemingly inferior to City's and injuries may dent their Premier League title hopes, unless they sign reinforcements or are able to continue winning without their star striker for a number of weeks.
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