Arteta admits fears over Gabriel Jesus injury
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta worries Gabriel Jesus has suffered another injury setback after limping out of Tuesday’s Champions League win over Sevilla.
The Brazilian striker assisted Gabriel Martinelli’s initial goal on the stroke of halftime and scored a brilliant second eight minutes later as Arsenal held off a spirited fightback led by Nemanja Gudelj’s 58th-minute header to win 2-1 at Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan Stadium.
However, Jesus was forced to leave the game nine minutes early due to a hamstring injury, and Arteta later stated, “He felt something in his hamstring, so let’s see.”
“He straight away asked to be subbed, which is not good news because he’s not a player that does that at all, so we’ll have to wait and see in the next few days. [I’m] really sad because he felt something and I’m worried about that.”
“He needed to produce those moments to win in a stadium like this. He’s done it for us in a really big way.
“I think he changed our world. He brought so much belief and energy to that team, He needs to step in in those moments. He’s done that. That’s when a player becomes accountable for the team. We need those players to win games.”
Jesus, who missed the first six weeks of the season owing to a minor knee operation, will be evaluated in the coming days, with Arsenal hosting Sheffield United in the Premier League on Saturday.
“Big games are for big players,” Arteta said of the 26-year-old’s match-winning effort in Andalusia.
After Lens drew 1-1 with PSV Eindhoven, Arsenal now leads Champions League Group B.
