With Gabriel Jesus apparently out for three months following knee surgery, Mikel Arteta said Arsenal would “look at the options.”
After suffering the injury during the Selecao’s World Cup match against Cameroon in Group G, the Brazilian forward was forced to withdraw from the tournament.
Unconfirmed rumors from Brazil claim Jesus will miss three months of action, but Premier League leaders Arsenal confirmed on Tuesday that Jesus had begun his rehabilitation program.
The 25-year-old has been crucial to the Gunners’ successful start to the season, which has seen them lead the league after 14 games by five points.
Only Martin Odegaard of Arsenal has scored more goals than Jesus’ five, while only Bukayo Saka and Kevin De Bruyne of Manchester City have recorded more assists in the English top division than Jesus’ five.
Arteta indicated the team is looking into options for how to respond to the setback in the most positive way as the January transfer window draws near.
“What it affects is who we are as a team because he gives us so much,” the Spaniard said. “So what we can do after that, when we know the timescale [of his recovery] and when we can have him back, we will look at the options and try to make the right decision.
“I feel like my squad is really good. Unfortunately, we’ve had injuries, and we will try to see what we can do to be strong. We have players, we have a lot of accompanying players.
“[The question is] do we have the players that can give us the performances and the consistency that we need to maintain and improve from where we are?”
Arsenal resume their title tilt with a home clash against West Ham on December 26, having won six from six at Emirates Stadium in the league this term.