Granit Xhaka acknowledges that the loss of Gabriel Jesus to injury is a significant setback for Arsenal, but he is sure that the Gunners can compete without him and has lent his backing to Eddie Nketiah, who is expected to fill in for him.
Jesus sustained a knee injury in Brazil’s World Cup loss to Cameroon, forcing him to miss the rest of the competition and requiring surgery, with a two- to three-month recovery time anticipated.
It deals Mikel Arteta a severe blow before the Gunners resume their Premier League championship defense on Boxing Day. The former Manchester City forward has rapidly become a crucial part of the team.
Jesus faces a lengthy absence, but Xhaka thinks it’s a “minor injury” he can handle and has promised to help his colleague get better.
“I spoke with him straight after the Cameroon game. We have the contact between each other, with all the players we have here in the World Cup,” he told reporters.
“It’s a shame because you saw in the first round of the Premier League how important he is for us. I don’t know how big the injury is, maybe two or three months, I think.
“But he is a strong guy. It’s a small injury for him I think, and we will support him. He knows that we are behind him and hopefully we can get him back as quick as possible.”
Arsenal may choose to use Nketiah to lead the line if Jesus is injured.
Nketiah has made 12 Premier League substitute appearances so far this season without scoring, but he had a good finish to the last campaign, earning a new deal after tallying five goals in the final seven games of the top division.
Xhaka is excited to support Nketiah, 23, in the coming months because he thinks the 23-year-old has what it takes to fill the gap in the Gunners’ attack.
“We have the option with Eddie, of course. He showed great games as well in the past and we need to support Gabi first,” he added.
“We need to support Eddie as well, because he will be a big, big part of the next two or three months.
“But I am looking forward because we have the quality to bring Eddie there and to help him.”
Arsenal resume their Premier League campaign on Boxing Day with a London derby against West Ham at the Emirates Stadium.