Arsenal's preparations for the 2023/24 season have been rocked with the news of an injury blow for Gabriel Jesus.
The Brazil international, who missed a large chunk of the previous campaign with a knee problem sustained at last winter's World Cup, missed the Emirates Cup penalty shootout win over AS Monaco on Wednesday evening with Gunners manager Mikel Arteta later confirming the striker had undergone a minor operation.
«Unfortunately he had a little procedure this morning,» the Spaniard said when asked about Jesus. «He's had some discomfort in his knee that caused him some issues so they had to go in. He's going to be out for a few weeks. It is a big blow because we had him back to his best, especially with the way he played against Barcelona and he was in good condition but unfortunately, we lost him.
»We had to look at it and we had to make a decision and the best one is to protect the player and get him back as quick as possible. We decided to do it. It's something related to the previous injury he had and the surgery. He had some irritation in the knee and we had to get it resolved."
Arteta has since followed this up with a positive update on Jesus. In fact, when speaking ahead of Arsenal's Community Shield clash against Manchester City at Wembley Stadium on Sunday, he once again made the point that he doesn't expect the 26-year-old to be sidelined for too long.
«He's fine. He’s obviously disappointed because he was feeling good and then this issue came up that nobody expected,» he said. «We had to do a little procedure there but unfortunately, it was the best thing to do and the quicker the better. We made that decision. I’m sure he will be back soon and very fit.»
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