Arsenal have bail out option to replace injured Gabriel Jesus

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Arsenal could end up saving millions in the January transfer market in looking for another striker with Gabriel Jesus suffering an injury at the World Cup as they reportedly have a ‘recall clause’ for Folarin Balogun. It’s been reported in Brazil that Jesus will need to undergo surgery on the knee injury he suffered in their final group game against Cameroon.

He’s already headed back to England to have his injury further evaluated at Arsenal, but it’s been suggested that Jesus could miss up to three months. That puts Mikel Arteta in a difficult spot heading into the January transfer window with Eddie Nketiah as his only other central striker option.

While the Arsenal boss has shown faith in the 23-year-old when needed, Nketiah has struggled to score goals on a regular basis. Arsenal will want to continue the momentum from earlier this season when the campaign resumes on Boxing Day.

And the January transfer window has been tipped as an opportunity to further strengthen their squad as Arteta looks to battle with Manchester City at the top of the table. But the Gunners may already have the ideal temporary replacement for Jesus at the club, albeit on loan in France.

Balogun has long been tipped as a future star at Arsenal and he’s beginning to show his talents at the top level out on loan. He’s already scored eight Ligue 1 goals this season with Stade Reims, bettering the tallies of players such as Lionel Messi, Breel Embolo and Wissam Ben Yedder.

And, according to Football London, Arsenal have a ‘recall clause’ in Balogun’s contract should they need to bring him back to the club. The report does add that it’s unlikely Arsenal will turn to the 21-year-old to help provide cover for Jesus.

But it’s an excellent option for Arsenal to have in the midst of Arteta’s first mini-crisis of the season. Martin Keown previously likened Balogun to Arsenal legend Ian Wright after seeing the striker impress for the Gunners in a Europa League tie against Dundalk.

“I am looking at him and thinking ‘remember the name’ really with the way he looked tonight,” Keown said back in December 2020. “The way he linked up, that is a great turn. You try to compare, is it Andy Cole or Ian Wright?

“There is that sort of movement about him. I know those are big name players and if he can live up to that he will have some career. I just like the way he is always looking on the shoulder and his movement.

“The way he scores the goal, the way he comes onto it he is pointing, give me it, this is my moment. He has had to wait for his opportunity, he is 19 years old and showing really good signs.”

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