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Gary Lineker has expressed his ‘worry’ concerning Gabriel Jesus’ injury against Manchester United.
The Arsenal forward came off worse in a collision with Bruno Fernandes near the end of the first half and immediately threw an arm into the air to indicate he was in real discomfort. The injury prevented the 27-year-old from continuing and he was stretchered off soon after.
Jesus was seen pulling his shirt over his face in evident distress as he made way for Raheem Sterling.
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Lineker, speaking at half-time in Arsenal’s FA Cup third-round tie, expressed his concern and said it looked like Jesus’ knee gave way beneath him. “I am a little bit worried about this injury,” said the 64-year-old during BBC Match of the Day’s coverage. “We thought he had been elbowed but then he went down holding his knee.
“We hope it’s not a serious one but you often see those funny landings. I don’t want to say it is a serious injury but it is a worry. The knee lands awkwardly again [after the Fernandes challenge].”
The injury is a major blow for Arsenal, who has had issues up front this season. Kai Havertz began the campaign operating predominantly as a false nine, but his form dipped with a run of one goal in eight league matches from October.
Jesus has come to the fore in recent weeks and scored six in his last five starts prior to the United game. That has coincided with an upswing in the Gunners’ form, with the London club unbeaten in 10 league matches.
Gabriel Jesus was replaced on a stretcher against Manchester United.
Arsenal appeared to suffer another injury late on against United, after Jorginho was replaced with a knock just minutes before the penalty shootout in the third-round tie. That adds to a mounting injury list for Mikel Arteta, who was without Takehiro Tomiyasu, Ben White, Bukayo Saka and Ethan Nwaneri in the build-up to this weekend’s game.
It’s a concern for Arsenal ahead of tough games against Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa in the Premier League this week. The Gunners currently trail league leaders Liverpool by six points, although Arne Slot’s side do have a game in hand.