By Okafor Joseph Afam | January 14, 2025

Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus has suffered a suspected anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear, casting a shadow over the rest of the 2024-25 campaign. The injury occurred during Arsenal’s FA Cup third-round loss to Manchester United on Sunday, leaving head coach Mikel Arteta conceding that the prognosis was bleak.

The 27-year-old was stretchered off the pitch, marking yet another setback in his injury-plagued career. Jesus, who joined Arsenal from Manchester City in 2022, has endured persistent knee problems, beginning with a significant injury at the Qatar World Cup that required surgery and sidelined him for three months.

A further minor procedure followed in the summer of 2023, leaving the Brazilian international battling for form and fitness. Although he had fallen behind Kai Havertz in Arsenal’s striker pecking order, Jesus was beginning to rediscover his spark, netting six goals across four games during the festive period against Crystal Palace, Ipswich Town, and Brentford.

However, reports from The Athletic suggest that Jesus is facing a long-term absence, with all signs pointing toward an ACL rupture. Final confirmation awaits further specialist assessments on Tuesday, but early indications are grim for the player and the team.

Arteta, speaking to the media on Tuesday morning ahead of the North London derby against Tottenham Hotspur, will undoubtedly face scrutiny over his handling of the squad and the club’s transfer strategy.

Injury Crisis Deepens
This latest injury compounds Arsenal’s woes, as several key players are already sidelined. Bukayo Saka, Ethan Nwaneri, Riccardo Calafiori, Ben White, and Takehiro Tomiyasu are all nursing various ailments. Jesus’s left knee injury – as opposed to his repeatedly operated-on right knee – offers a minor consolation but does little to alleviate the immediate concerns for Arsenal’s attack.

Transfer Window Dilemmas
In light of Jesus’s absence, Arsenal may be forced to rethink their January transfer plans. Initially content with a reactive approach, Arteta now faces calls to bolster his offensive ranks. While the manager has expressed faith in his current squad, options like Randal Kolo Muani, Jonathan David, and Leroy Sane could be explored as potential loan or transfer targets.

However, logistical hurdles remain. Arsenal’s two Premier League loan slots are occupied by Neto and Raheem Sterling, meaning any short-term solutions must come from overseas. The prospect of securing a marquee signing this month is slim, leaving the club vulnerable to another trophyless campaign.

Arteta Under Fire
Arteta’s decision to forgo attacking reinforcements last summer, opting instead to sign Riccardo Calafiori and Mikel Merino, has now come under heavy scrutiny. While the Spaniard relied on the squad’s record-breaking 91-goal Premier League season in 2023-24 to justify his choices, recent struggles in front of goal have exposed the risks of not adequately preparing for injuries.

Criticism has also been directed at Havertz, whose £65m move from Chelsea continues to divide opinion. His recent high-profile misses have reignited debates about his suitability for Arsenal’s attacking needs.

The Road Ahead
With no guarantee of reinforcements before the transfer window closes on February 3, Arteta must rally his players to adapt and deliver under pressure. Failure to do so could result in another disappointing season for the Gunners, with the weight of expectations and criticism mounting on the manager’s shoulders.

For Gabriel Jesus, the journey back to full fitness begins once again, but his absence leaves Arsenal facing a daunting task to salvage their season amidst an escalating injury crisis.