Gabriel Jesus: Arsenal striker suffers suspected ACL injury in FA Cup loss to Manchester United Football News

Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus suffered a suspected cruciate ligament injury in Sunday's FA Cup defeat to Manchester United, leaving them with only one fit forward in Kai Havertz.

“We know more now. The situation doesn't look good at all,” Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said of Jesus' injury ahead of Wednesday's north London derby.

“We need to review it with another expert and will have better information this afternoon.

“I don't want to confirm anything until we get the final report this afternoon. We were very concerned after the game and very concerned today.”

sky sports news Arsenal are understood to be working hard behind the scenes to recruit a striker in the January transfer window. Even before Jesus was injured, they had been exploring long-term goals and short-term options.

Jesus started the cup match against Manchester United but was forced off after just 41 minutes.

The Brazil international has scored six goals in his last seven games for Arsenal, who have only Havertz to fill the center forward spot after selling their forwards. Eddie Nketiah Go to Crystal Palace in the summer.

“We are actively looking into the market to improve the squad,” Arteta added. “It would be naive of us not to do that. This is an opportunity to improve the squad.”

“We're looking and trying. Let's see what we can do. When you recruit a player, there are three aspects involved. We also have our limitations and we can do what we can.”

Asked whether forwards were the priority, he added: “In any position.

“We have other issues. Players can bring things to the team in different ways. That's what we're trying to do.”

Jesus, 27, has had his career blighted by injuries since joining Arsenal from Manchester City in 2022 and will now be sidelined with the forwards for a significant period of time. Bukayo Saka and Ethan Nwaneri.

How much will Arsenal miss Jesus?

Sky Sports' Richard Morgan:

Since joining Arsenal from Manchester City in July 2022, Jesus has never been able to maintain a regular presence in Arteta's side due to a combination of injuries (including a knee injury at the 2022 World Cup) and a lack of goals. forward movement.

In fact, since his debut at Arsenal, the Brazil international has played in 96 of 132 games in all competitions for the club, a rate of 75%.

Jesus has never made more than 27 Premier League appearances in a season, making 36 appearances in total, and although he has scored an impressive six goals in his last seven games for Arsenal, the forward's The highest number of Premier League goals came on his debut in north London. He scored 11 goals, which was also his best number of goals in a single season.

As a result, Jesus' recent injury has meant that Mikel Arteta's side have been forced to leave Eddie Nketiah and Reiss Nelson on season-long loan spells at Crystal Palace and Fulham respectively last summer. The loss of a proven striker in contention for the Premier League title.

Arsenal summer operations under scrutiny

Sky Sports' Nick Wright:

Arsenal’s main offseason signings are Mikel Merino and Ricardo Calafioliand Raheem Sterling Arrive at the loan later. All three struggled to make a positive impact, with Merino and Calafiore making just 12 starts each and Sterling just five.

Injuries didn't help. All three have had issues, with Calafioli suffering a new setback that will keep him out of action on Sunday. But regardless of injuries, they still face question marks. Are they really what Arsenal need to move to the next level?

For example, Merino brings aerial prowess and winning ability to Arsenal's midfield at a time when they may be in greater need of creativity and goal threat, especially following the sale. Emile Smith Rowe Travel to Fulham and allow Fabio Vieira Joined Porto on loan.

When the club took the opportunity to sign Sterling on loan, they hoped he would be able to bring those qualities into play in attack. But damningly, Arteta rarely turns to him for help, even when he has recovered. Entering the middle of his career, he had only played 146 minutes in the Premier League.

Jesus may be needed now as he has been placed on the injured list. But, like Merino and Calafiore, he still has a lot of work to do to prove he can give Arsenal and Arteta what they need.

Arteta spoke of his “love” for his players after Sunday's defeat, but it is increasingly clear that the only solution to their attacking problems lies in the transfer market. The problem is that the January window is harder to navigate than the summer window.

“A clear line must be drawn”

Arteta said the abuse Kai Havertz's wife Sofia received on social media after the defeat to Manchester United “can't happen” and called for “putting perspective” on the Arsenal striker's struggles in front of goal.

Havertz also missed a good opportunity to bury Manchester United in regular time – five days ago, he failed to seize a great scoring opportunity in the 2-0 first leg loss to Newcastle in the Carabao Cup semi-finals.

Commenting on the social media abuse directed at Havertz and his family, Arteta continued: “It's unbelievable, to be honest. We really have to do something about it because accepting this and hiding this has a terrible effect. consequences.

“That's something we have to take out of the game because it's so cynical and relies on the results of actions. There's no other industry like this.

“When we played Ipswich on December 27, we won 1-0 and Kai Havertz scored. Then the whole stadium was singing 'Waka, Waka' (his slogan). That was 20 days ago. That's it. Where's the perspective?

“We all have a responsibility. You (the media) all have a responsibility, everyone is responsible for the narrative and the way we speak. We can't look elsewhere. This is a very serious issue. It affects me. It affects him and Everyone. Industry.

“We can accept it and say 'this is our job' but there are certain limits and the lines have to be drawn. We are very focused on technology and the next step in football. The next step in football is that this should not happen.”

Arsenal reported the social media abuse to Signify, a technology company that investigates online abuse against players. The club also reported the accounts to Instagram.

sky sports news It is understood Arsenal will take the harshest possible action against those responsible.

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