Mikel Arteta was asked if Gabriel Jesus could leave Arsenal in January
Mikel Arteta has emphatically shut down reports that Gabriel Jesus could leave Arsenal in January.
The Brazil international had a transformative effect on the Gunners’ attack following his move from Manchester City two-and-a-half years ago.
Jesus, however, sustained a serious knee injury during the 2022 winter World Cup in Qatar and has not looked the same player since.
Indeed, the 27-year-old has scored just one goal in 2024 and his only strike this season came in the Carabao Cup against Preston North End last month.
Jesus came off the bench against Fulham on Sunday but failed to make a telling impact as a replacement for Kai Havertz.
Reports have linked the former City star with a return to Brazil in January but Arteta rubbished that speculation ahead of tonight’s Champions League showdown against Monaco.
‘No, no sense,’ said the Arsenal boss bluntly when asked directly if the Arsenal No.9 would return to his homeland next month.
Fulham FC v Arsenal FC - Premier League
Gabriel Jesus has not scored a Premier League goal this season
On Jesus’s current struggles, he added: ‘Like all strikers, they go on phases and moments and that gap is becoming big.
‘It’s true that obviously a lot of things has happened, injuries, absences of not playing or starting games that much but his attitude has been really good, it always is, and we’re going to try to help him overcome the situation as soon as possible.’
Arsenal, meanwhile, are likely to be without a host of key defenders this evening, but know a win will put them in a strong position to qualify automatically for the next round.
‘Really impressed,’ said Arteta, when asked for his verdict on tonight’s opposition.
Sporting Clube de Portugal v Arsenal FC - UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD5
Kieran Tierney is set to make a rare appearance for Arsenal this evening
‘Really good side, you see the run they’ve been on in the Champions League and in the league, especially against top opposition, so a real threat.
‘A team that is superbly well organised, really intense, really good in transition moments as well with a lot of quality, so it’s going to be a very good test for us.’
With left-back options Riccardo Calafiori, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Oleksandr Zinchenko all likely to be unavailable,Kieran Tierney, who hasn’t played a first team game for Arsenal since May 2023, could be handed a lifeline.
‘Yeah, he is ready and he’s training really well and he’s going to have an opportunity for sure with the way the team is looking at the moment,’ Arteta said of the Scotland international who spent last season on loan at Real Sociedad.
‘It’s for that reason and because he’s earned it as well with the way he’s behaved and the way he’s been with us because he’s willing to do it and when that happens you have to give opportunities to those kind of players.’
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