Gabriel Jesus says he’s hoping to stay fit in the coming months so he can do a full pre-season with Arsenal after a ‘tough’ campaign hampered by more knee issues.
The Brazil international hinted three weeks ago that he may have to sit out this summer’s Copa America in the United States if its decided an operation is the best way to resolve ongoing problems.
The 27-year-old injured his right knee at the World Cup in Qatar in December 2022 and then underwent a follow-up procedure in August after feeling discomfort on the eve of the new season.
“It’s tough,” said Jesus when asked about his injuries by the Arsenal official matchday programme.
“I’ve loved playing football since I was three years old so being injured is hard. Last season I think I played my best six months before the World Cup, when I got my knee injury, and everyone knows what happened after.
“This season has been tough – I missed pre-season, had surgery again and then had a couple more injuries.
“I’m doing my best to help the team, and hoping to stay fit so I can do a full pre-season this summer. Then it’s a different story.”
While Jesus has been available for most of Arsenal’s matches – he’s played 33 times in all competitions – he’s still sat out three small chunks of the campaign and looked out of sorts in the penalty box, particularly in recent weeks.
His last league goal came against Nottingham Forest at the end of January since when his teammates have netted 41 times.
In Jesus’ absence, Kai Havertz has been pushed further up the pitch to play at number 9 and he’s thrived. The German has eight goals and 5 assists since mid-February leading to rumours he could retain the role continuously.
Indeed, yesterday, The Athletic speculated that Jesus’ days at Arsenal could be numbered. Much will depend on the Brazilian’s fitness, but if he’s feeling more confident about being ready for pre-season, then clubs could be attracted by the prospect of signing a hugely experienced player.
It has to be said, Jesus doesn’t speak like a man who sees his future elsewhere. He was lured from Manchester City by the prospect of being central to Arteta’s long-term project and he still has a point to prove.
“We are working hard to make the fans happy and we’re going in the right direction to fight for titles every season. It doesn’t happen straight away,” he said.
“Last year was important but unfortunately we didn’t win. We’re fighting again this year and if we don’t win it this time we’ll go again next season. That’s the most important thing.”
Doesnt score enough, doesnt assist enough, too small sized to win balls. Just because he’s rough and tough doesnt make him stronger than defenders 1 head taller than him. Goal output is abysmal. Sell.
His hold up play is excellent, regardless of his size.
Hold up play has never won trophy or Epl for any team in the history of the game
Sell in a rush
He’s a nuisance you cannot afford to leave with any extra space, defenders hate him. Keep
Never watched him?
While I disagree with a lot of that, I do think we should be open to offers this summer.
I just think we need to move away from perpetually injured players. Having Zinchenko, T5 and Jesus as highly paid first teamers just doesn’t work. And I love all three of them.
But the best ability is availability. And it’s really not personal. If Saka was playing 15-20 games a season I’d be saying the same.
Imagine if we could recoup £60m + wages for the three of them. Then we could have one hell of a summer.
(Everyone is going to crucify me for saying we’d only get £60m for those three. But I get burned every summer by putting sizeable fees on players heads. I’m not doing it this year. I will not be burned again!!!)
((‘Burned’ or ‘Burnt’?))
Fuck it.
Bernd.
Oh is that what you call an Arsenal keeper who’s been set on fire? Burnt Leno?
Ah here’s one. What do you call an Arsenal keeper who loves a games of chess? Petr Cech, mate.
What do you call a Chelsea legend that is coached terribly and has his gloves pulled off by Ben White?
Cech, maaaaaaate.
I watched the spuds last night. Fuckin’ terrible.
No way they are going to take points off City.
You are forgetting that when it counts spurs bottle it, but by the time they play oil city they won’t have anything to play for so more likely to put in a performance 👍
At this pace they’ll still have Europa qualification to play for, they’re only 6 points ahead of Man U and 7 ahead of Newcastle with 4 games left.
Fucking hell, will Tottenham’s ineptitude mean Man U will have more to play for against us when we play them?
My only hope is Spurs at home are a different beast than away, as we saw last weekend.
Jesus is gonna get a good fee without doubt (£40M minimum; he’s in his prime and an amazing player). Zinny would attract a solid fee as anyone that knows football knows the skills and dynamism he brings along with leadership (£20M minimum). I don’t think we’ll get much at all for Partey because he’s 30+ , not fit and on massive wages. IMO I’d keep all three though. I think we need to add two players, and not subtract players of this quality. In more rotational roles I think all three can likely contribute better to the squad depth and… Read more »
He was an upgrade on Lacazette, Lacazette was the reason Giroud left, Giroud was signed as a replacement for Van Persie, RVP filled the void left by Henry.
…
completely forgot the point I was going to make.
We should have kept Giroud.
Particularly for the money we are paying him.
Man, he sends defenders on their arse with his dribbles. I do not think defenders like to have him around them. He only needs to know when to shoot. For instance, I do not think Auba was particularly stronger than defenders. He processes GK and defenders position quickly and shoot. Jesus dribbles and tries to turn around and bring teammates into the play.
I know sitting out a big international tournament is a big deal for any player, but he really does seem like someone who right now needs to have a proper summer off, do lots of work with the club doctors and come back fighting fit at the start of the season. He’s a quality player and even if he’s lost his automatic starter position then he surely still would play a huge role in the squad as a starter and coming off the bench across the front line. It would be a shame to see him leave as he feels,… Read more »
Arsenal outgrown Lacazeth and we moved him on. Jesus wasn’t the first choice striker Arteta wanted but he was the available striker for the new phase 2/3 of Arsenal project and he did well in his debut season But Arsenal has evolved past Jesus and Nketia … They don’t fit this stage of Arsenal project let alone next season stage of Arsenal project … they have refused to evolve with the current Arsenal and next season will be more competitive than this season … we need player who will be available and a striker who will actually put the ball… Read more »
Agreed, and even if his injuries have caused him to fall down the pecking order to squad player, he deserves a chance to get fully fit and fight for his place before we offload him.
I wouldn’t be looking to let Jesus go if he can get back to his best, certainly not ahead of a few other players who have struggled to make the grade this season.
The concerns are his knees. Seems like he hasn’t played healthy for a long time and knee health often just doesn’t resolve itself.
He will be a winger next season. Probably the Saka backup, when a new striker comes in.
I like him and would keep as a squad player…but perhaps because of FFP (Man City exempt of course) we need to sell to buy that ‘top’ striker? It’s about wages too remember. I don’t think Jesus is on £12 an hour.
Not been sleeping well this week due to the stress of this title challenge, but I’m pretty confident we’ll beat Bournemouth (careful though, they’re no mugs). Praying for a miracle (Citeh dropping points,) but I’ve resigned myself to turning them off again after 30 minutes when they go 3-0 up.
The shithouses.
I’m not sure I’m comfortable with this news being out there at this stage of the season. I feel it has the potential to be unsettling. I don’t know how much the players read these stories in the press – or how much notice they take of them if the do read them – so this could be a moot point, but I would rather it came out later for safety’s sake. I appreciate that James is a massive Arsenal fan who would not want to do anything that could impact negatively on us at this (or any stage) of… Read more »
Keep him fit as a backup makes us more versatile tactically.
It’s foolish to ignore his fitness issues, but it’s equally foolish to forget how good he was in the first half of last season. I think it would take a sizable offer to tempt Arsenal to sell a player of his proven quality *entering* his prime years.
Even his best season , last season … he wasn’t our best performer in the front -3 Martineli , Saka and Odegaard outperformed our so called striker in both goals and assist and they were even more prolific and reliable all season + Jesus disappeared when we needed him the most on the treatment table when it mattered the most during the season where his experience could have made the sole difference… But he wasn’t available We gave him a chance this season again hoping this time , it will be different … But then our so called striker that… Read more »
He is definitely entering ‘squad player’ territory and I sincerely hope he stays for at least one more season.
His experience alone is going to be valuable moving forward – and I still think he can provide a useful option or two from the bench next season.
We clearly need, however, to sign an out and out striker (and Left Back) this summer though
Only the at the club will know what his chances are of making a meaningful contribution from now on. That injury record and lack of goals is just a bit too much to justify at nearly around £250k per week, unless he can turn it around.
Front three
Gabi/Leo Kai/Isak Saka/Jesus
Isak is gonna cost a fortune, but I think he is one of the only (realistically available) forwards out there. I know this is sacrilegious, but he reminds me of the great one, Henry, more than anyone else I’ve seen since. For sure he adds something we don’t have and can play left if needed (Jesus from the right as Saka backup).
Everyone else talked about is just a bit meh at equally inflated prices. Ger ‘er done!
but I think he is one of the only (realistically available) forwards out there…*that upgrades the team*
I think a fit Gabi Jesus is still a huge player for us, and the recurring knee injury has been a real problem. There’s no doubting Gabi’s courage and determination to keep playing and fighting despite not being at his best, but we can all see the impact it’s had on his game. I think it’s also contributed a lot to his frustration on the pitch. I hope that a successful procedure straight after the season ends, followed by a good recuperation period, will allow him to play at his best again, and be happier and calmer. Happy players score… Read more »
Just show Nketiah the door.
He’s only 27 so still in his prime, I think the key is for him to get healthy. He is a unique player on our roster and is extremely versatile. Yes, he doesn’t score a ton of goals as a striker, but does score some big ones and opens things up for his teammates. He does so many of the things Arteta wants from an attacking player such as being great at pressing and winning the ball back, great hold up play (esp in the box) allowing teammates to play off of him, ability to play all over the field… Read more »
Thank you for your service but I think Arsenal now is more than equipped to challenge Man City for the title year in year out. Should look for upgrades to Jesus and Zinny like Man City was 2 years ago when they were sold to use. They were sold cos they had apparent flaws – Jesus don’t score enough and Zinny cannot defend. They were good for us at that time but moving forward we need to shift them out if we’re going to challenge for the title year in year out.