Gabriel Jesus suffers serious left knee injury and will miss the entire season for Arsenal

🚑 O Arsenal confirmou que Gabriel Jesus sofreu uma lesão no ligamento cruzado anterior do joelho esquerdo, em partida contra o Manchester United.

Atleta passará por cirurgia nos próximos dias e o tempo de recuperação não foi informado #SBTSports

📸Arsenal/X pic.twitter.com/wtE0KIo8Ob

— SBT Sports (@sbt_sports) January 14, 2025

Details of the play that caused the injury

Gabriel Jesus’ injury occurred during a defensive play in which the striker attempted to tackle Manchester United’s midfielder Bruno Fernandes. The Arsenal player sprinted backward but ended up falling to the ground after feeling severe pain in his left knee. Even before that play, Jesus had already shown discomfort after a challenge with Argentine defender Lisandro Martínez.

The impact of the injury was immediate, with Jesus crying as he was taken off the field. The incident caused significant concern among fans and coach Mikel Arteta, who has been dealing with a series of physical problems within the squad.

Injury history and impact on performance

Gabriel Jesus’ career has been marked by injury episodes that have impacted his performance on the field. In addition to the current injury, the striker has faced other significant injuries:

• Right knee injury during the 2022 World Cup
• Groin problem at the beginning of the 2024/25 season
• Foot fracture while playing for Manchester City

These injuries have affected the continuity of the player’s performance, but despite this, he maintains impressive numbers on the field. This season, before the injury, Gabriel Jesus played 26 matches, scored seven goals, and contributed two assists.

Challenges for Arsenal in the remainder of the season

Gabriel Jesus’ absence represents a significant challenge for Arsenal, currently in second place in the Premier League, six points behind leaders Liverpool. Coach Mikel Arteta is already struggling to assemble the team due to other important injuries in the squad, such as those of Bukayo Saka, Ben White, Takehiro Tomiyasu, and Ethan Nwaneri.

With a tight schedule and crucial matches ahead, the lack of attacking options could compromise the club’s campaign in competitions like the Premier League, FA Cup, and Europa League.

Possible replacements for Gabriel Jesus

With the injury to its main striker, Arsenal may seek alternatives in the transfer market to strengthen its offensive sector. Some of the names speculated in the press include:

• Dušan Vlahović, Juventus striker
• Victor Osimhen, Napoli standout
• Moussa Dembélé, former Lyon player

However, negotiations in January can be complicated, especially in the middle of the season. Additionally, the club must consider its budget and financial conditions to finalize new contracts.

The recovery process from anterior cruciate ligament injuries

Recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament injury is complex and can take from nine months to a year. The process includes several stages, such as surgery, physiotherapy, and muscle strengthening. Key points in the recovery process include:

1. Reconstructive surgery: essential to repair the damaged ligament
2. Physiotherapy: starts immediately after surgery to avoid loss of mobility
3. Muscle strengthening: focuses on regaining leg strength
4. Gradual return to training: typically occurs after six months
5. Full return to games: may take up to a year, depending on the body’s response

The player’s dedication and the club’s support are crucial to ensuring a successful recovery.

Serious injuries in football: a worrying reality

Serious injuries, like Gabriel Jesus’, are common in high-performance football. The most frequent causes include:

• Game overload: many athletes face an intense schedule with few rest periods
• Intense physical disputes: constant contact on the field increases the risk of injuries
• Lack of adequate recovery: athletes who do not have enough time to recover from previous injuries may be more prone to new problems

Main Premier League players injured this season

Besides Gabriel Jesus, other Premier League players have also faced significant injuries this season:

• Bukayo Saka (Arsenal): muscle injury
• Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City): tendon problem
• Reece James (Chelsea): knee injury
• Raphaël Varane (Manchester United): ankle contusion

Curiosities about injuries in football

1. The anterior cruciate ligament injury is one of the most feared by players
2. Strikers and midfielders are the most prone to serious injuries
3. Full recovery from a serious injury can take up to two years

The role of technology in injury recovery

In recent years, technology has played a significant role in recovering from sports injuries. Some innovations include:

• 3D printing of prosthetics
• Use of artificial intelligence to monitor recovery progress
• High-tech physiotherapy equipment

Financial impact of injuries on clubs

Serious injuries to key players can significantly impact clubs’ finances. The associated costs include:

• Salaries paid during the absence period
• Medical and rehabilitation expenses
• Need to hire replacement players

Next steps for Arsenal without Gabriel Jesus

Arsenal will have to quickly adapt to Gabriel Jesus’ absence. Possible strategies include:

1. Strengthening the squad in the transfer market
2. Adjusting the tactical scheme to compensate for the striker’s absence
3. Betting on young club prospects

Highlights of Gabriel Jesus’ season before the injury

• 26 matches played
• 7 goals scored
• 2 assists

Gabriel Jesus’ absence will undoubtedly be felt by Arsenal, but the club has already shown resilience in other difficult moments. Fans hope the team can overcome this challenge and continue fighting for titles this season.