Gabriel Jesus of Arsenal is set to miss the season opening games following slight knee surgery he underwent as confirmed by Mikel Arteta.
The Brazilian striker was absent on Wednesday’s pre-season victory over AS Monaco and Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta confirmed that the former Manchester City forward will be out for a week following a little knee surgery.
The 26-year-old Brazilian International player’s injury pertains to the knee troubles he had last season, which also needed surgery.
Speaking after Arsenal’s victory over Monaco at Emirates Stadium, the Gunners’ manager confirmed that Jesus had felt some discomfort in his knee for the past few weeks.
Arteta said; “It’s a big blow because we had him back to his best”.
“Unfortunately he had a little procedure this morning (Wednesday, 2nd of August). He had some irritation in the knee and we had to get it resolved. It’s not major but he will be out for a few weeks I think”.
He added; “We had to make a decision and the best one is to protect the player and to get him back as quickly as possible, so we decided to do it”.
Gabriel Jesus’ injury worries come four days before Arsenal battle Manchester City in the FA Community Shield and 10 days before the English Premier League new season kicks-off.
The 26-year-old injury means Arsenal will be without the forward who scored 11 Premier League goals last season. He started the campaign on a high note but battled with his fitness in the second quarter of the season.
The injury to Gabriel Jesus will also force Arteta to reconsider his choice of team. Eddie Nketiah and Folarin Balogun are their only other true strikers.
The two intriguing young strikers from their academy have been linked to moves away all summer but no transfer seems to materialize.
Kai Havertz may be chosen by Arteta as the target of their attack. Arteta might be wary because Havertz’s experience at Chelsea didn’t go well in that role.
Gabriel Jesus return has no set date as of yet, however, Arsenal fans will be hoping that the first international break will likely bring him back.
Eddie Nketiah proves that he fill Gabriel Jesus’ gap
Eddie Nketiah, who led the Arsenal line against Monaco is now set to lead the team attack in the absence of Gabriel Jesus.
In Gabriel Jesus’ absence due to injury, Eddie Nketiah stepped up as Arsenal won the Emirates Cup against Monaco on penalties to round off their pre-season tour.
Nketiah filled in for Jesus and did a good job like he did for most of last season.
The attacker made several wonderful runs into space and constantly seemed to pose a threat to the Monaco defense, but it was by no means a flawless display.
He took the goal beautifully and was set up perfectly to receive a pass and fire in the game-winning goal, but substitute Leandro Trossard decided to go alone, sending the ball straight at the goalkeeper and utterly blew the chance.
Arsenal vs AS Monaco in brief
Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale made an early stop from Aleksandr Golovin, before Monaco took the lead just after the halfway point when France midfielder Youssouf Fofana headed in a cross from Mohamed Camara.
Guillermo Maripan missed from close range shortly after, while Rice, the £100 million summer acquisition of Arsenal, saw a shooting attempt blocked, both of which would have given them a strong chance to double their lead.
Before Nketiah’s goal from Gabriel Martinelli’s corner two minutes before halftime, the French team had the advantage.
Wissam Ben Yedder hit the post and Golovin sent a shot straight at Ramsdale from 12 yards away as Monaco frequently got in behind Arsenal’s defense and squandered two excellent opportunities early in the second half.
Seven changes were made just after the hour mark, with Arteta replacing Rice with fellow newcomer Kai Havertz.
Leandro Trossard was put through on goal by Jorginho’s excellent pass in minute 73, but he shot straight at Philipp Kohn due to the efforts of two other substitutions.
A penalty shootout was used to decide the match. Former Liverpool forward Takumi Minamino’s attempt was saved by Ramsdale, and center-back Gabriel then scored the game’s last penalty to claim the Emirates Cup.
After losing to Manchester United and defeating Barcelona on a tour of the United States, Arsenal’s pre-season campaign comes to an end with this match.
What’s next for Arsenal?
Mikel Arteta’s men will lock horns against the current treble winner Manchester City in the FA Community Shield at Wembley Stadium on Sunday, the 6th of August, 2023 (16:00 GMT).
The last season’s Premier League runner-up will then be back at the Emirates to kick off their 2023/2024 EPL campaign when they host Nottingham Forest on the 12th of August, 2023, by 12:30.
