Transfer Centre

Arsenal 'not planning to sign Gabriel Jesus alternative'

By Darren Plant, Senior Reporter | 05 December 2022

Arsenal reportedly have no plans to sign an alternative to Gabriel Jesus in January, despite the Brazil international suffering a knee injury at the World Cup.

Arsenal are reportedly not planning to sign a new striker during the January transfer window.

On Friday evening, Gabriel Jesus made his first start of the World Cup, bidding to make an impact ahead of the knockout stages after starting the tournament behind Richarlison in the pecking order.

However, the Gunners player suffered a knee injury during the fixture with Cameroon which has subsequently led to him being ruled out of the remainder of the tournament.

As it stands, the severity of Jesus's issue remains unclear, reports indicating that he could be sidelined anywhere between one and three months.

Nevertheless, according to Football Insider, Mikel Arteta is currently not tempted to sign a fresh face for the middle of his attack.

Gabriel Jesus in action for Brazil on December 2, 2022 © Reuters

That is despite the Spaniard said to be provided with as much as £50m in the transfer market in a bid to keep Arsenal at the top of the Premier League standings.

Jesus has played a key role in their ongoing title bid, contributing five goals and five assists from his 14 starts in the league since his switch from Manchester City.

Nevertheless, Arsenal allegedly already have plans to beef up other areas of the pitch, including in central midfield where they have sometimes being left struggling to manage the game time of key players.

The report adds that Arteta would also like to sign another winger in a bid to supplement his current options, Arsenal being fortunate up until the World Cup break that Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka have been able to feature in every Premier League fixture.

Eddie Nketiah celebrates scoring for Arsenal on October 6, 2022 © Reuters

Should Arteta choose to rely on his current crop to replace Jesus, Eddie Nketiah is expected to be provided with an extended stint down the middle.

As it stands, the Englishman, who penned a new long-term contract earlier this year, has been restricted to 142 minutes of Premier League football spread over 12 substitute appearances.

However, the 23-year-old has started each of Arsenal's seven Europa League and EFL Cup matches, netting three goals during those fixtures.

Arteta will also be able to call upon Emile Smith Rowe at some stage with the academy graduate having missed the majority of the first period of the season due to groin surgery.

Fabio Vieira and Martinelli are other players who are capable of deputising down the middle of the attack, particularly the latter, yet Arteta may be against moving the Brazilian away from the left flank.