Gabriel Jesus injury scare as Arsenal striker misses friendly with knee problem

Gabriel Jesus has suffered a knee injury and will miss Arsenal’s friendly against Monaco. The Gunners say the Brazilian’s issue will continue to be assessed.

Jesus missed over three months of action last season due to a knee injury. He underwent surgery on his right knee after suffering the problem during Brazil’s World Cup match against Cameroon.

It is currently unknown whether it is the same knee that troubled the former Manchester City player. But it will be a concern to Mikel Arteta and Arsenal supporters just 10 days before their first Premier League game of the season against Nottingham Forest.

Jesus had featured in all four of Arsenal’s friendlies up until the visit of Monaco on Wednesday. He started the victory over Barcelona in the club’s final game on their pre-season tour to the USA.

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The 26-year-old netted a fine curling effort in the 5-0 win over MLS All-Stars but was goalless in his other appearances. Jesus was replaced in the starting XI against Monaco by Eddie Nketiah.

The striker was given the armband for the match as Arteta rotated his side. Emile Smith Rowe was brought into the side, with Jakub Kiwior and Takehiro Tomiyasu also named in the back four.

Club-record signing Declan Rice sat out of the win over Barca with a minor calf issue. But he was brought straight back into the XI alongside Thomas Partey.

Bukayo Saka had started every friendly to date but was named among the substitutes ahead of Sunday’s Community Shield clash against Manchester City. Jesus must now be considered a doubt for the match at Wembley against his old side.

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He made just 26 Premier League appearances in his debut campaign at Arsenal. He scored 11 goals and registered six assists as Arteta’s side fell short of winning their first Premier League title since 2004.

Nketiah will be the first choice to step in for Jesus if he is out for any period of time. Folarin Balogun, who has been linked with an exit, is nursing an injury of his own picked up in the USA.

Leandro Trossard and summer signing Kai Havertz are other potential options for Arteta through the middle. Meanwhile, Oleksandr Zinchenko continues to be absent through injury.

Arteta confirmed in the USA that he had suffered another muscular issue. Zinchenko was in and out of the Arsenal side in his first season at the club due to several niggling injuries.

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