Mikel Arteta admits Arsenal are very worried about the seriousness of Gabriel Jesus’ knee injury as speculation mounts that the player has suffered ACL damage.
The Spaniard wouldn’t confirm or deny reports that the Brazil international’s season is over before further tests are undertaken this afternoon.
Jesus picked up the injury in the closing stages of Sunday’s FA Cup exit at the hands of Manchester United after falling awkwardly on his knee following a tangle with Bruno Fernandes. He immediately sensed he’d done something serious and it wasn’t long before the medical team called for a stretcher.
After the game, Arteta admitted it was a “big worry” and it appears his fears were not misplaced. Facing the media ahead of Wednesday’s north London derby, the manager provided the following update:
“We know more now and it’s not looking good at all. But we need to review one more specialist, so probably we’ll have the total information this afternoon.
“I don’t want to confirm anything until we have the final report this afternoon. I think it’s the doctor’s job to do that. But yeah, we were very worried straight away after the game and we are very worried today. Let’s wait until this afternoon.”
Jesus hasn’t had much luck with injuries since joining Arsenal from Manchester City in the summer of 2022. He underwent surgery to repair ligament damage in his right knee in December 2022 and has had follow-up procedures that have also sidelined him.
Transfermarkt says he’s missed 200 days due to fitness problems since his arrival at the Emirates, missing 35 games along the way.
His absence for the rest of the season (and beyond) piles the pressure on the club to recruit attacking reinforcements in January especially given Bukayo Saka could be sidelined until late March.
In more positive news, it sounds like Jorginho and Jurriem Timber, who were both substituted in the closing stages on Sunday, should be fit for tomorrow’s clash with Sp*rs – fears of muscular injuries offset by news they were just cramping.
“We have one more training session and there are a few that can be close. But again, this afternoon we’ll have the full info on the squad and who is available and who is not.”
Whether Riccardo Calafiori is available remains to be seen. The Italy international sat out Sunday’s game with a muscular problem and faces a race against time.
“His thing is not too much,” confirmed Arteta. “But again, we need another day or two. You’re playing every three days and 24 hours becomes really important because they are not long-term injuries.”
Too much football compromising the quality all across the Europe.
Agreed, but frustrating that clubs get more money from more football but don’t invest in larger squads. We’re a prime example – all the football we knew we were going to play this season and we have one dedicated striker who is now injured.
*Who has been ever injured or on a goalscoring drought 😪😪
Leaves us very light up front. Let’s hope for a centre forward. And that Jesus recovers sooner than later, good luck to him.
Arteta and other managers are going to have to start to play deeper rosters to overcome the number of games the players are being asked to play. Of course they’ll be second guessed constantly, but that is the only way to limit the number of injuries that players are getting.
Piers Morgan exists, and now this!
Unfortunate, just as he was having a bit of a resurrection of form. Can’t help but let the thoughts drift to this being an injury that precludes a summer move a la Tierney last summer.