Gabriel Jesus suffers suspected ACL injury in shocking FA Cup defeat to Manchester United

In England, Arsenal forward Gabriel Jesus sustained a suspected anterior cruciate ligament injury during an FA Cup match against Manchester United on Sunday. This incident occurred in January 2025, and the injury has led to significant concern among the team's staff, particularly manager Mikel Arteta, who expressed his worries in a press conference. Jesus was taken off the pitch on a stretcher, and he is scheduled to see a specialist for a more accurate assessment of the injury's severity. The injury is a considerable setback for Arsenal, who are already dealing with several injury concerns including Bukayo Saka's hamstring injury and Martin Odegaard's recent absence due to an ankle injury. Mikel Arteta has acknowledged the situation is dire and mentioned that they are actively seeking to bolster their squad in the January transfer window. During the team’s current struggles, the Gunners have faced difficulties in finding the back of the net, raising questions about their attacking options moving forward. Arteta noted the necessity of addressing their attacking woes, especially with Kai Havertz struggling to make an impact in the striker role. The situation has put Arsenal in a precarious position as they prepare for an important north London derby. With Jesus potentially facing a lengthy recovery, the pressure is increasing on Arteta to find a solution, either within the current squad or through new signings. The club has been linked with potential new signings, including Juventus' Dusan Vlahovic and Newcastle's Alexander Isak. Arteta emphasized that while he values his current players, the necessity to enhance the squad has become critical. The lack of depth in the striker position could affect Arsenal's performance in the ongoing season, as they are currently contenders for the Premier League title. Overall, the outcome of Jesus's injury examination could dictate the direction of Arsenal’s strategy in the coming weeks, as they navigate the complexities of the transfer market while dealing with player injuries.