Gabriel Jesus absence explained in Arsenal vs Monaco Emirates Cup match

Gabriel Jesus suffers new knee injury, missing Arsenal's Emirates Cup clash against Monaco. Extent of injury unknown, raising concerns for the club.

In unfortunate news for Arsenal, Gabriel Jesus has been forced to sit out their Emirates Cup clash against Monaco due to a new knee injury. The club has confirmed the injury, but the full extent is still unknown and will be assessed by the Gunners. This setback is particularly concerning for Arsenal as Jesus had already experienced a lengthy spell on the sidelines last season due to a knee injury he sustained during the World Cup.

Up until this point, Jesus had been in excellent form during pre-season, and Arsenal was eager to make a strong start to their Premier League campaign after narrowly missing out on the title last year. However, with this new injury, the Brazilian star may now be facing the possibility of missing the beginning of the season.

Since joining Arsenal from Manchester City last summer, Jesus has made a significant impact, contributing 11 goals and eight assists in 33 games. His absence in the match against Monaco provided an opportunity for Eddie Nketiah, who has been patiently waiting for his chance behind the 26-year-old forward.

In a surprising move, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta even entrusted Nketiah with the captain's armband for the friendly match against Monaco at the Emirates. The presence of former boss Arsene Wenger in the stands added to the significance of the occasion. Nketiah had previously stepped up for Arsenal when Jesus was out with his knee problem last season.

Although Arsenal signed Kai Havertz during the summer transfer window, who can also play as a center-forward, Arteta has been utilizing him as part of a midfield three. As a result, the Gunners may also consider turning to Folarin Balogun, who impressed with his goal-scoring abilities while on loan at Reims last season. However, there have been rumors linking Balogun with a potential departure from the club this summer.

Overall, the absence of Gabriel Jesus due to his knee injury poses a significant setback for Arsenal. It remains to be seen how long he will be out of action and how the team will cope without his contributions. The upcoming season holds uncertainties, but Arsenal will need to adapt and explore alternative options to maintain their competitiveness.