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Arsenal dealt big injury blow on day of Aston Villa clash
- Gabriel Jesus to miss Saturday's trip to Aston Villa
- Brazilian has picked up groin injury
- Should convince club to act during final week of transfer window
Arsenal will be without Gabriel Jesus for their trip to Aston Villa on Saturday evening. The Brazilian misses out with a groin injury.
Jesus was hopeful of putting his fitness woes behind him heading into 2024/25. Mikel Arteta spoke over the summer of the striker entering pre-season with a "different energy" and Jesus did impress in Arsenal's friendlies out in the States and back home at the Emirates.
He wasn't included in the starting XI last weekend against Wolves, though, with Arteta opting to retain Kai Havertz as his number nine. Jesus came on as a second half substitute after Havertz had scored Arsenal's opener in a routine 2-0 win.
However, there was a chance Jesus would've come into Arteta's starting lineup at Villa Park on Saturday, potentially working in tandem with Havertz. The striker's latest injury setback has ruled out that possibility.
Gabriel Jesus injured and out of Aston Villa clash
🚨BREAKING: Gabriel Jesus will miss today's match against Aston Villa due to a groin injury.
— now.arsenal (@now_arsenaI) August 24, 2024
[@Teamnewsandtix] pic.twitter.com/zBV9Kr4T2h
Reliable Arsenal insider @Teamnewsandtix reported on Saturday morning that Jesus has not travelled with the squad to the West Midlands after picking up a groin injury.
At this stage, the severity of the striker's injury is unknown but he will of course be out of today's game at Villa Park. Havertz will lead the line.
It's another incredibly frustrating blow for Jesus, who seemed to be regaining some momentum over the summer. He simply hasn't been able to shake off the injury bug since missing three months of action with a knee injury sustained at the 2022 World Cup. He's already missed 33 games for club and country since the start of the 2022/23 season as a result of five different injuries.
The striker has not endured a groin issue since joining the club.
His unreliability on the fitness front should only convince the Gunners that the arrival of another forward is a necessity before the window slams shut. While the acquisition of a Nico Williams profile may be tough at this stage, Arsenal could do with another depth option at least.
With Eddie Nketiah on the move and Jesus perpetually struggling to stay fit, Arteta's frontline suddenly looks incredibly thin.
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