Mikel Arteta admits Gabriel Jesus out for "longer than expected"

By Darren Plant, Senior Reporter | 16 January 2023

Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta suggests that Gabriel Jesus is expected to remain sidelined with a knee injury for "longer than expected".

Mikel Arteta has suggested that Gabriel Jesus will not come back into contention at the start of March as was initially anticipated.

The former Manchester City man was a star player for the Gunners before the World Cup, contributing five goals and five assists in the Premier League.

However, while representing Brazil in Qatar, the 25-year-old sustained a knee injury, one which immediately ruled hum out of the rest of the tournament.

The initial recovery time was set at three months, leaving Arteta to search for alternatives during the January transfer window ahead of a potential drop-off in form.

Nevertheless, Arsenal have continued to dominate at the top of the league, extending their advantage to eight points with a 2-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur in the North London derby on Sunday afternoon.

Gabriel Jesus in action for Brazil on December 2, 2022 © Reuters

That fixture was deemed to be another one closer to regaining the services of Jesus, but Arteta has indicated that no date has been pencilled in for a potential return.

As quoted by talkSPORT, the Spaniard said: "Hopefully we will have Gabriel back for the final months, it was a serious injury a bit longer than we expected it.

"He is going to do everything he can to make it shorter but we'll miss him for a while."

Up until now, Eddie Nketiah has proven to be a capable alternative to Jesus, chipping in with four goals from his five appearances in all competitions since the resumption.

Eddie Nketiah celebrates scoring for Arsenal on December 26, 2022 © Reuters

However, Arsenal are known to be in the transfer market for a new player for the final third having missed out on the signing of Mykhaylo Mudryk to Chelsea.

If reports are to be believed, the North Londoners were ready to pay well in excess of £60m for Mudryk until their rivals committed to meeting Shakhtar's £88m asking price.

In response to missing out on Mudryk, Arteta told reporters: "We have excellent players. We want to improve our squad in this transfer window and when I say we, myself, the coaching staff, the staff, the players, the board, and ownership.

"We are all in this together, but we will do the deals that we can do and that we believe is right for the football club."

Arsenal are allegedly considering a fresh approach for Raphinha, who only departed Leeds United for Barcelona during the summer transfer window.