12 January 2025 , 21:09
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Gabriel Jesus was unable to continue Arsenal’s FA Cup clash with Manchester United after suffering an injury following a collision with Red Devils skipper Bruno Fernandes.
Gabriel Jesus added to Arsenal’s growing injury issues after he was stretchered off during the first half of their FA Cup clash with Manchester United.
The Gunners are already without Bukayo Saka, who tore his hamstring; and his replacement Ethan Nwaneri. That goes along with injuries suffered by defenders Ben Whitem Takehiro Tomiyasu and Riccardo Calafiori.
Jesus started the game against the Red Devils bit shortly before half time, he collided with United skipper Bruno Fernandes as he attempted to latch onto the ball on the edge of the box. And while Fernandes screamed for a free-kick, it was Jesus who suffered the more lasting effects.
The Brazilian looked devastated - covering his face with a shirt - as he was stretchered from the field of play and straight down the tunnel.
Jesus, signed from Manchester City in the summer 2022, had only recently forced himself back into Mikel Arteta’s starting XI, putting his early season struggles behind him.
After breaking his duck for the campaign at the end of October, the 27-year-old has scored a further six goals - including three in his last four Premier League matches.
A hat-trick against Crystal Palace in December resulted in Arteta declaring the striker as being back to his best. He said: “I’m so pleased for him.
“It’s been a long period without goals and today, to score three goals, the three types of goals that he scored – and the many actions he was involved in – he looked very sharp.
“It’s a great thing for him and the team that we can rely on a player of such quality. Gabi at that level is a big asset for us. It is a big message for the team that we have Gabi back at his best. It’s now about consistency."
The injury will add to the growing clamour for Mikel Arteta to dip into the transfer market this month. To this point, Arteta has been adamant that he will only do so, if a player that can immediately improve them becomes available.
"Someone that can impact the team immediately with the performance and bring something that we don’t have,” he said. “That can be really hard in this market. We always have discussions about how we can improve the team.
“The circumstances changed because we’ve had some injuries to some top players, but it has to be someone who can make a difference. We have certain limitations and we have lots of gaps and things you have to cover. It’s also about the players and whether you can afford them.”