Rio Ferdinand Highlights ‘Worrying’ Issue That Could Derail Arsenal’s Title Challenge

Rio Ferdinand Highlights ‘Worrying’ Issue That Could Derail Arsenal’s Title Challenge

BT Sport pundit Rio Ferdinand says he is concerned that the injury sustained by Gabriel Jesus could have implications for Arsenal’s title ambitions.

The former defender claims he will be watching the Gunners closely when the Premier League returns to see how Mikel Arteta’s side cope with the Brazilian’s absence:


“I’m worrying for Arsenal after we go back! I’m just saying. Just because of Jesus, that’s all I’m worried about.”

Jesus is expected to be sidelined for up to three months after undergoing knee surgery, which means he could miss up to thirteen league matches.

Considering he has been integral to Arsenal’s outstanding start, which has seen them win twelve of their first fourteen fixtures, Ferdinand is right to raise concerns.

Eddie Nketiah is expected to stand in for Jesus initially, but there has been talk that the Gunners could delve into the market for a potential replacement when the transfer window opens next month.

The likes of Matheus Cunha, Joao Felix, Ferran Torres and Memphis Depay have been suggested as possible options but, at this stage, it isn’t known who Arteta will make his number one target.

David Tully

David Tully

David has worked as a football reporter for the last fifteen years. Having started as an intern at Snack Media, he then went on to become a freelancer, working on various different sites. At the start of 2023, he took up his current role as content writer for National World's Football News Network.