Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus is set to undergo surgery due to a serious knee injury, prompting Gunners manager Mikel Arteta to search for a replacement in the January transfer window.
Jesus was taken off on a stretcher during the first half of Sunday’s FA Cup third-round match against Manchester United, which the Gunners ultimately lost in a penalty shootout.
The 27-year-old met with specialists this week to evaluate the severity of the injury, which has been confirmed as an anterior cruciate ligament tear in his left knee.
Jesus may be out for the remainder of the season, posing a significant setback for Arsenal’s ambitions of claiming their first Premier League title since 2004.
“Gabby will have surgery in the next few days and will soon begin his recovery and rehabilitation program,” Arsenal announced in a statement on Tuesday.
“We will keep everyone informed on Gabby’s recovery, as everyone at the club is dedicated to supporting him in getting back to full fitness as quickly as possible.”
After struggling with just one goal in his first 20 appearances across all competitions this season, Jesus had found the net six times in six games before the match against United.
In conjunction with the prolonged absence of England forward Bukayo Saka after hamstring surgery, his injury has raised concerns regarding Arsenal’s goal-scoring options.
As of Tuesday, Arsenal ranks second in the Premier League standings, trailing leaders Liverpool by six points, but they have not secured a victory in any of their last three matches across all competitions.
After losing 2-0 at home to Newcastle, Arteta’s squad faces a difficult challenge in reaching the League Cup final and has been eliminated from the FA Cup.
Among the Premier League’s top six teams, Arsenal is the only club without a player who has scored in double figures—Kai Havertz currently leads the team with seven goals in the league this season.
At a pre-match press conference, Arteta was asked if the club aims to sign a striker during the January transfer window.
“We are actively searching the market to enhance the squad, and that has been our approach since day one,” said the Spaniard, who had expressed significant concern about Jesus’s injury before receiving the discouraging medical news later that day.
“We would be foolish not to pursue that because there is always an opportunity to develop the team and strengthen the squad, especially given our current circumstances.
