Gabriel Jesus 'successfully' undergoes knee surgery with Brazilian now set for an extended spell out after flying back from the World Cup - with Arsenal now considering prioritising signing a new striker over a winger in January
- Arsenal forward limped off after starting against Cameroon for Brazil in Qatar
- Reports in Brazil suggested the forward would be out for up to three months
- Gabriel Jesus 'successfully' underwent knee surgery, Arsenal announced
- Blow to Arsenal who lead the Premier League ahead of Manchester City
- Click here for the latest World Cup 2022 news, fixtures, live action and results
Arsenal have been dealt a huge blow in their bid for a first Premier League title since 2004 with the news that Gabriel Jesus has undergone knee surgery.
The Brazilian forward limped off for Brazil in their group stage dead-rubber with Cameroon last Friday with a suspected medial ligament damage just after the hour mark - though it had been hoped that he would only be out for around a month.
Arsenal released a statement, saying: 'Gabriel Jesus has successfully undergone surgery to his right knee after suffering an injury during the Brazil v Cameroon World Cup group stage match on Friday. Gabby will now begin his rehabilitation programme.
'Everyone at the club is supporting Gabby and will be working hard to get him back on the pitch as soon as possible.'
![Gabriel Jesus appeared inconsolable at the final whistle of Brazil's clash with Cameroon](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/12/06/16/65299409-0-image-a-23_1670342966217.jpg)
Gabriel Jesus appeared inconsolable at the final whistle of Brazil's clash with Cameroon
Jesus' knee surgery means Arsenal having to endure an extended spell without the Brazilian, whom they signed from Manchester City in the summer for £45m and has been instrumental in their march to the top of the league.
While the goals have dried up since his explosive start, he remained influential in their overall play - notching assists against Nottingham Forest and Liverpool.
The injury opens up the possibility of Arsenal entering the market in search of a centre-forward. Currently, having let Alexandre Lacazette go in the summer, they only have Eddie Nketiah as back up to Jesus.
![It has now been revealed that the Brazilian is facing an extended spell on the sidelines with the injury requiring surgery](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/12/06/16/65299573-0-image-a-24_1670343057316.jpg)
It has now been revealed that the Brazilian is facing an extended spell on the sidelines with the injury requiring surgery
Nketiah, while impressive at the back end of last term, has struggled for minutes this season and has often looked shorn of match sharpness when he has been given a rare opportunity to deputise for the Brazilian.
Mikel Arteta had sought a wide player and a midfielder to offer competition as Arsenal look to keep pace with City in pursuit of the title.
The Arsenal manager has reportedly been keen only to add players to his squad who are ready to step straight into his first team, which could prove an issue chasing a centre-forward with no timeframe on Jesus' return.
Mykhaylo Mudryk, the Ukrainian wide-player who plays for Shakhtar Donetsk, had been a reported target for competition in wide areas.
Jesus' selection for Tite's squad for the 2022 World Cup was met by some adverse reaction by supporters in Brazil, with Flamengo supporters in particular questioning his place in the squad over Gabriel Barbosa.
![Mikel Arteta will now be forced to find solutions to maintaining his side's title challenge without Jesus for potentially a number of months](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/12/06/16/65299597-0-image-a-25_1670343061010.jpg)
Mikel Arteta will now be forced to find solutions to maintaining his side's title challenge without Jesus for potentially a number of months
This led to some speculation that Jesus, in fact, had not been fit when selected for the World Cup.
Tite sought to banish this speculation, labelling it 'evil lies'.
'I don't like hearing lies out there, evil lies,' he said. 'At no time do we play for victory at the risk of a player's peril. The liar who's out there - because that's the name isn't it, the haters, right?
'We are responsible, we are personally responsible, we are ethical and it would never have happened. I didn't want this to happen, it's a shame, we are very sorry for Gabriel.'
Arteta will now be left sweating over the fitness of the remaining stars of his at the World Cup, including Bukayo Saka, William Saliba and Granit Xhaka.
![Arteta will be watching intently for his remaining World Cup stars to come back in one piece](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/12/06/16/65300001-0-image-a-35_1670343471712.jpg)
Arteta will be watching intently for his remaining World Cup stars to come back in one piece
![](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/08/02/636x90_facebook_ad_sport.png)
Most watched Sport videos
- Giants fans burn quarterback Daniel Jones' jersey after loss
- John Hunt makes a poignant return to the commentary box at Brighton
- Moment Miami Dolphin's Tyreek Hill is arrested by police
- Tyreek Hill speeds by police before cops aggressively pull him over
- Shocking bodycam of Tyreek Hill arrest released by Miami-Dade PD
- Woman exposes NRL boyfriend for leaving her for another
- Johnny Gaudreau's wife Meredith announces she is pregnant
- Awkward moment footy great can't pronounce NRL player's name
- Jason Kelce bares all with ex-Eagles teammate in revealing beer ad
- Ireland fans mock Queen's death aiming chants at England fans
- Sinner defeats home favourite Fritz to win the US Open title
- Las Vegas Raiders fan body slams a woman during brawl