Arsenal’s Tuesday night statement: “Gabriel Jesus had successful knee surgery after injuring it in Friday’s World Cup encounter between Brazil and Cameroon. Gabby will start therapy. Gabby’s teammates will work hard to get him back on the field soon.”
How will Arsenal solve Gabriel Jesus’ injury in the short term? Medical specialist Dr. Rajpal Brar, DPT suggests the striker could return by the end of February.
“Gabriel Jesus updates. MCL surgery recovery takes 10-12 weeks “He tweeted. “Blood supply heals ligaments well. Granit Xhaka returned in 70 days and would’ve been sooner without a fracture. Wait-and-see on timeline.”
Mikel Arteta has four options to replace the Brazil international. He might sign a replacement, explore for internal options, recall a loaned forward, or stick to what he and Edu have planned for January.
After Jesus’ successful operation, we asked our football.london Arsenal Writers and Content Editor what the club could do to ensure his absence doesn’t derail the season.
Gabriel Jesus, Arsenal’s No. 9, will be out for up to three months. The continued World Cup is a blessing, but the January transfer window is even better.
If Arsenal can recruit a competitive player in the winter window, they should. This isn’t to discredit Eddie Nketiah, but to defend Arteta’s team’s position.
Nketiah and Gabriel Martinelli are likely to cover for Jesus’ absence as a wide forward. This may be enough, but Edu should seek short-term reinforcements if possible.
Comments about Joao Felix’s availability invite quality additions. If the club can afford another forward, the Portuguese would be a good choice.
There aren’t many proven goalscorers on the market heading into January, so signing a direct replacement for Gabriel Jesus is out of the question. I also have reservations about whether significant funds would be available if an opportunity presented itself.
Arsenal can’t repeat what happened when they let Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang leave without replacing him. A lack of goals ultimately cost them in the top four race, among other factors.
The Gunners will be in a stronger situation next winter. Mikel Arteta and Edu must strike while the iron is hot to give the team the best chance to win the Premier League again.
Wilfried Zaha would be the ideal signing given his Premier League experience, versatility, and immediate impact, but Arteta and Edu are likely to stick to their new policy of not recruiting players over 25.
The Arsenal pair were intending to boost the forward line before Jesus’ injury, so it’s important that plans don’t change. In January, the Gunners must trade Mykhaylo Mudryk or Cody Gakpo.
Gabriel Jesus’ ailment is concerning. The injury is a setback for Arsenal’s quest for a first Premier League title since 2003/04. The Brazilian has been a key player for Mikel Arteta this season, but he could miss 12 weeks with a knee injury.
The Gunners don’t play again until December 26. With the January transfer window opening days later, Edu may decide to bolster the team’s attacking options. Even before Jesus’ injury, Arsenal wanted to sign a wide forward.
Accelerate these plans. Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli are at risk of burnout from overwork during the World Cup. With Emile Smith Rowe, Reiss Nelson, and Marquinhos all injured, Arsenal needs more depth.
Mykhaylo Mudryk or Cody Gakpo would help. Mudryk has 18 goal assists in 18 games for Shakhtar Donetsk, per Transfermarkt. Gakpo has 13 goals and 17 assists in 24 games for PSV. The Dutch international has scored in all of his team’s group stage matches.
Arsenal wouldn’t pay cheaply for Mudryk or Gakpo. Both players are under 23 and would match Arteta’s transfer style of signing young, intriguing talent. With Jesus out until February, the signing would help the Gunners.
