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Opponent Watch: Arsenal to be without key attacker for Tottenham clash with long-term injury

published :

December 7, 2022

Tottenham skipper Son Heung-min sounds out a warning to Arsenal.

Injury News: Arsenal will be without Gabriel Jesus for Tottenham Hotspur derby

Arsenal are set to be without Gabriel Jesus for the north London derby against Tottenham Hotspur on 15 January, as per the Mirror.

The Brazil international picked up a medial ligament injury during his nation’s 1-0 2022 FIFA World Cup group-stage loss against Cameroon. Brazil qualified regardless and Jesus’ absence hasn’t been felt.

After all, he was always going to Qatar as a backup for Tottenham star Richarlison. The former Everton and Watford has three goals for the Selecao Canarinho in the World Cup and scored in the 4-1 win against South Korea in the last 16 clash.

🗞 Gabriel Jesus has successfully undergone surgery to his right knee 👇
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) December 6, 2022

But his medial ligament injury could see him miss around 10 games for Arsenal across competitions once club football season resumes. While it is always an unpleasant sign seeing a professional sidelined with injury, this could be a timely boost for Spurs.

An injury like this can take around 12 weeks to recover from. That is enough time for Arsenal’s Premier League campaign to go awry (considering they aren’t playing in the UEFA Champions League this season).

Arsenal are currently five points clear of Manchester City in first position after 14 games. The former Manchester City striker has started in all of those matches, scoring five times and assisting six more goals.

Gabriel Jesus celebrates after Arsenal score against Brentford in the Premier League. — Gabriel Jesus and Arsenal beat Tottenham Hotspur 3-1 in the first NLD this season. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

Could this be the boost we need to close down the eight-point gap between us and them? It is, after all, their star striker that has been injured.

Eddie Nketiah is their only natural backup in that position after Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette left the Emirates in consecutive transfer windows. Spurs, meanwhile, have Harry Kane and Richarlison as two superstars to lead the line.

More Tottenham Hotspur News

Son Heung-min answers when he will return to action for Tottenham Hotspur after South Korea’s World Cup exit

Arsenal won’t be an easy team to face even if they lose their star players. In the NLD, the form book goes out of the window. It is about being better on the day and having the mental strength to see out a result.