The knee injury to Arsenal star Gabriel Jesus looks set to significantly impact Mikel Arteta's side with the summer arrival, who is key to the Gunners attacking play, absent until February at the earliest. Jesus has featured in all 14 of Arsenal's Premier League games this season scoring five goals and notching six assists.
Following his withdrawal in Brazil's World Cup group game with Cameroon it was confirmed that Jesus was to undergo surgery to repair the damage to his right knee. Arsenal confirmed that Jesus underwent successful surgery on December 6, with the 25-year-old posting numerous updates regarding his condition on social media.
Mikel Arteta and Edu could turn to the January transfer window in search of a direct Jesus replacement with Marcus Thuram, Cody Gakpo and Dusan Vlahovic all linked as potential January acquisitions.
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Eddie Nketiah could receive an opportunity in the first-team to fill the void of Jesus if the Gunners do not turn to the transfer market and although his prognosis could have been far worse, with many players suffering knee injuries out for far longer, Jesus will likely miss key games against Tottenham, Manchester City and Manchester United.
Despite his expected absence through injury, former Premier League midfielder Danny Murphy doesn't expect Arsenal to significantly miss Jesus, especially with his recent goal drought.
Murphy told the Daily Mail: “Jesus has been important in Arsenal’s great run: he’s unselfish; works hard off the ball and sets the tone for the press. But he hasn’t scored in his last 11 games. So I don’t think Arsenal should be fearful of playing without him.
“Eddie Nketiah is a fox in the box and can finish. Arsenal’s next three games against West Ham, Brighton and Newcastle are all winnable without Jesus.
“It’s disrespectful to Arteta, as well as stars such as Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Martin Odegaard and the other Arsenal players, to suggest one injury setback will make it a stroll.”
Yaya Toure, who won three Premier League titles with City, is also of the belief the Gunners can cope without Jesus as they seem set to battle for the title with the Ivory Coast midfielder's former team.
“Arsenal have a great chance,” said Toure on Sky Sports News. “I think Arsenal is going to carry on. Even maybe Jesus’ injury, at the moment.
“But let’s see different things as well. Arsenal was on top before the World Cup. I think maybe they could still carry on, even though Manchester City are really strong.”
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