Arsenal are having to “manage” Gabriel Jesus’s fitness, according to the Daily Mail.
The Brazilian international did return to the matchday squad for the 4-1 win over Newcastle last weekend but the club’s medical team are concerned that a chronic knee injury could flare up once again.
Jesus has had issues with his knees ever since he arrived at the Emirates from Manchester City in 2022 and supporters on X are now discussing whether it may be time to sell the striker at the end of the season:
Time to cash in on Gabriel Jesus, them reoccurring Knee injuries wont get any better.
— Yasuke (@Yasuke1886) February 27, 2024
I reckon he’s going to have more surgery on it in the summer
— Gunnerama (@Gunnerama_) February 27, 2024
Been there. Seen it. Jesus is not fit.
— Joseph (@sejo113) February 27, 2024
If Jesus can’t stay fit, he should be sold in the summer. We should then sign two CF’s. Can’t afford to carry players if we are challenging for the title
— Rupinder (@Rupinder1996) February 27, 2024
He should leave in the summer he's not reliable, we can get someone else to replace him
— Ed^WIN^✷‿✷◉‿◉👑 (@Edwinbayi01) February 28, 2024
He should rest, we don't need him rn. No player carrying any injury should be rushed back to play. PLEASE !.
— Sebi (@UncleSebi) February 27, 2024
Time to sell him .
— BIG MEECH (@BetsDemon) February 28, 2024
What issue is Jesus having with his knee?
The 26-year-old actually missed the start of this season to undergo knee surgery and he returned at the end of August. However, since then, he has had fluid build-up which has stopped him from playing in Arsenal’s last four matches.
From the sound of things, though, despite returning to the bench against Newcastle, the problem has not gone away completely.
The Arsenal forward is not 100% fit
It seems clear that Jesus won’t be able to take a full part during the run-in, and there is no chance that he can play every 3 to 4 days.
The fact that the Gunners are only involved in two competitions, having been knocked out of the FA Cup by Liverpool, will help but manager Mikel Arteta will still have to pick and choose when to use him.