Arsenal could be forced into a bold January transfer raid after losing Gabriel Jesus for the remainder of the 2024/25 season.
Jesus suffered an ACL injury in Arsenal’s FA Cup exit at the hands of Manchester United with the Brazil international scoring six goals in his previous six appearances for the Gunners.
Fellow forward Bukayo Saka remains sidelined following surgery on a hamstring issue and the England star may now not bee back in action until March as his rehabilitation continues.
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Arsenal’s lack of goals from attacking players has been a cause for concern this season, with Kai Havertz’s seven league goals making him their leading marksman, ahead of Gabriel Martinelli and Saka on five each.
Arteta has been linked with a host of potential options in the transfer window, including a sensational swoop for Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres, and a long-standing interest in Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo.
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Following a battling 2-1 EPL derby win over Tottenham, which closed the title gap to four points in behind leaders Liverpool, Arteta confirmed a new forward is now a priority before the transfer window closes.
Arteta on Arsenal’s injuries
“We’ve lost two big players, Bukayo [Saka], could be out for up to three months, that’s a long time. Gabby, is going to be out for a long, long, long time,” he said.
“We’re going to try [to sign someone] for sure. We’re actively looking at a new forward. We have 14 players in the squad and we play every three days. We’ll try but let’s see who we can get.”
Speculation is rife over who Arteta can bring in at short notice, with TNT pundits Rio Ferdinand and Ally McCoist putting forward the loan cases for Karim Benzema and Victor Osimhen respectively.
If Arteta is looking to a quick solution, he could launch a loan bid for Brighton & Hove Albion striker Evan Ferguson, with Raheem Sterling also set for an increased role .
