Mikel Arteta has said Gabriel Jesus is “in a lot of pain” with a knee injured sustained in Arsenal’s FA Cup defeat to Manchester United, describing it as a “big worry”.
Jesus, 27, sustained the issue after colliding with United captain Bruno Fernandes during the first half of Sunday’s third-round tie at the Emirates Stadium.
The 27-year-old received treatment on the pitch before being taken off on a stretcher after being unable to continue. He was subsequently replaced by Raheem Sterling with five minutes left to play in the first half.
“Big worry,” Arteta said of the injury to Jesus after the match. “That’s my feeling, he is in a lot of pain, touching his knee.
“It’s not looking good. I think it’s the other one (knee, compared to his injury in 2022).”
Arsenal exited the FA Cup after a dramatic penalty shootout defeat to United following a 1-1 draw after extra-time.
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The Brazil international, who had scored six goals in six games before Sunday, missed the 2022 World Cup in Qatar after requiring surgery on his knee; this would be his fourth knee injury since then.
Any prolonged absence for Jesus would be a bitter blow to Arteta, who is already missing a number of key players in attack.
Bukayo Saka is expected to be out until March after requiring surgery on a hamstring tear, while teenage forward Ethan Nwaneri sustained an injury during their Premier League draw at Brighton.
Riccardo Calafiori also missed the game for Arsenal, while defenders Takehiro Tomiyasu and Ben White remain unavailable as they continue their recovery from knee issues.
Arsenal, second in the Premier League table behind leaders Liverpool, return to action against north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday before hosting Aston Villa three days later.
They resume their Champions League campaign at home to Dinamo Zagreb on January 22.
(Ian Kington/IK Images/AFP via Getty Images)
