MIKEL ARTETA has revealed Gabriel Jesus could be out for longer than initially expected.
The striker suffered a knee injury playing for Brazil at the World Cup.
Gabriel Jesus could be out injured for longer than expectedPA
https://www.instagram.com/p/CnApTPPMOPi/?hl=enJesus has worn a knee brace since his surgery[/caption]
He underwent surgery on his right knee and was initially expected to be out for three months.
But Arsenal could be without the 25-year-old for even longer, with Arteta revealing the problem is more serious than first thought.
He said: “Hopefully we will have Gabriel back for the final months, it was a serious injury a bit longer than we expected it.
“He is going to do everything he can to make it shorter but we’ll miss him for a while.”
Jesus has returned to the gym since his injury and is working hard while recuperating.
A video showed the former Manchester City star lifting weights and stretching his injured knee.
To strengthen the injured knee he stepped up onto a gym box, did squats and practiced lifting it up off the ground for a stretch.
But he was also spotted hobbling around the Arsenal training ground in a knee brace.
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Eddie Nketiah has taken Jesus’ place in the team and scored four goals in four games since the World Cup.
Arteta said of the academy graduate: “He’s been patient when he needed to be but as well he’s been with the right mindset and preparing himself for this moment.
“He’s a great finisher, the timing of his runs and the decision-making in waiting until the last moment when the keeper was committed shows his quality.
“His understanding, his work-rate, I think he’s getting better and better.”