Arsenal have been dealt a blow ahead of their highly anticipated Premier League opening match against Manchester United on Sunday, with it being revealed that Gabriel Jesus will miss the clash through injury while Leandro Trossard remains a doubt. The news comes as Mikel Arteta prepares his side for one of the toughest possible starts to the new campaign, facing a United side looking to make an early statement of intent.
**Gabriel Jesus Ruled Out**
Brazilian striker Gabriel Jesus has been officially ruled out of the encounter. The forward, known for his tireless work rate and ability to link up play, is recovering from an injury that will prevent him from featuring this weekend. His absence leaves Arsenal without a key attacking option, particularly in a fixture where sharpness in front of goal could prove decisive. Jesus’s versatility and pressing game have been central to Arteta’s attacking philosophy, meaning his unavailability will force a tactical adjustment.
The injury also places more responsibility on the likes of Kai Havertz or a potential reshuffle involving Bukayo Saka and new attacking options to lead the line like Gyokeres. Arteta may opt to utilise the depth in his squad to compensate, but losing a player of Jesus’s calibre is undoubtedly a setback.
**Trossard a Major Doubt**
Belgian winger Leandro Trossard, who enjoyed a strong end to last season, is facing a race against time to be fit for Sunday’s showdown. Trossard’s creativity, technical skill, and knack for producing goals in crucial moments make him a valuable weapon in Arsenal’s attack. However, his current fitness concern means Arteta may have to plan without him, at least from the start.
Even if Trossard is able to make the matchday squad, it is unlikely he would be risked for a full 90 minutes. Arsenal’s medical team will continue to assess him in the days leading up to the game, but Arteta will want to avoid aggravating the issue so early in the season.
**Impact on Team Selection**
These absences could have a significant impact on Arsenal’s starting XI and overall approach against Manchester United. Without Jesus, Arsenal might deploy Gyokeres as nine. The uncertainty over Trossard means that options such as Gabriel Martinelli could see more minutes, while younger talents like Ethan Nwaneri might be called upon from the bench.
**Early Test of Depth**
Facing Manchester United without two key attackers is an early test of Arsenal’s depth and adaptability. Arteta has built a squad capable of competing on multiple fronts, but the true strength of that depth will be put to the test on Sunday. The Gunners will need to rely on their defensive resilience, midfield control, and attacking creativity from other sources to secure a positive result.
While the absence of Jesus and the uncertainty surrounding Trossard are far from ideal, Arsenal have shown in recent seasons that they can adapt and still produce strong performances under pressure. Arteta will be hoping that the rest of his squad can step up and deliver a statement win to kick off their Premier League campaign in style.
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