Gabriel Jesus injury: Mikel Arteta issues worrying update on Arsenal star's fitness | OneFootball

The striker is set for scans on Monday but initial signs are “not good”

Mikel Arteta says Gabriel Jesus is a “big worry” after he was carried off on a stretcher during Arsenal’s defeat to Manchester United.

The striker received treatment on the pitch from Arsenal’s medical staff and was carried off on a stretcher, with Raheem Sterling replacing him.

Jesus was sent back home after the game on Sunday, which the Gunners lost on penalties, but he is due to undergo tests on his knee on Monday.

The Brazilian has been dealing with knee pain ever since the 2022 World Cup, when he suffered an injury then.

“Big worry, that’s my feeling,” said Arteta, when asked to give an update on Jesus after losing to Manchester United in the third round of the FA Cup.

“He had to come off on a stretcher, with a lot of pain, touching his knee. It’s not looking good. I think it is the other one [and not the knee he injured at the 2022 World Cup].

“But the worrying factor is more the feeling that he had, when he had to come off, and the pain that he was in.”

If it is confirmed that Jesus has suffered a serious injury then the pressure on Arsenal to bring in a new forward this month during the January transfer window will ramp up.

Arsenal are already without Bukayo Saka until at least March after he tore his hamstring last month. Ethan Nwaneri is out for a few weeks with a muscle injury.

Jesus being out injured would leave the Gunners with four fit senior forwards.

Arsenal were guilty of missing a hatful of chances against Manchester United, with Kai Havertz the most guilty party.

“We missed [chances] from various ways, from different players, and I understand guys, but I can love our players more and I focus, very much focus, on the ones that we have to perform at the highest level,” said Arteta. “That’s it. The rest is not in our hands, in my hands.”