Arsenal ‘actively looking’ at January transfers after Jesus injury

Mikel Arteta confirmed on Tuesday that Arsenal are “actively looking” to strengthen their squad during the January transfer window, following concerns over Gabriel Jesus’ injury. The Brazilian forward, who has been a key player for the Gunners this season, sustained what has been reported as a serious injury to his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). The injury occurred in the first half of Arsenal’s FA Cup third-round clash against Manchester United, a match that ended in a penalty shootout defeat for the North London side.The injury to Jesus is particularly concerning for Arsenal, as it adds to the ongoing fitness struggles of England international Bukayo Saka, who is also sidelined. The absence of two key attacking players has raised alarms about the team’s ability to maintain a consistent goalscoring threat. Despite a strong start to the season, the Gunners’ attacking options have become significantly weakened, leading to increased pressure on Arteta and the club’s recruitment team.In his comments on Tuesday, Arteta expressed significant concern over Jesus’ condition, describing the injury as “not looking good at all.” However, he added that the club would wait for further specialist assessments to get a clearer understanding of the situation. “I don’t want to confirm anything again until we have the final report this afternoon and I think it’s the doctor’s job to do that,” Arteta said. “But we were very worried straight away after the game, and we are very worried today.”While the exact nature of the injury remains unclear, early indications suggest that the issue could keep Jesus out of action for a prolonged period. If this is confirmed, it would be a major blow for Arsenal, who have relied heavily on the 26-year-old forward’s contributions in both the Premier League and other competitions. His presence on the field has been pivotal to Arsenal’s attacking cohesion, and his absence would leave a significant void in the squad.Arsenal are currently second in the Premier League table, six points behind leaders Liverpool, and still very much in the hunt for a top-four finish. However, the team has seen a dip in form recently, failing to win any of their last three matches across all competitions. A 2-0 home defeat to Newcastle in the League Cup has made their path to the final more difficult, while they have already been eliminated from the FA Cup. These results have compounded concerns within the club, especially regarding their lack of depth in attacking positions.One of the key concerns for Arteta is the team’s inability to find the back of the net regularly. Arsenal are the only team in the Premier League’s top six without a player in double figures for goals. Kai Havertz, who joined the club in the summer, has scored seven goals in the league this season, but the team has been struggling to generate consistent goal-scoring opportunities beyond him. This situation has become even more pressing with the injuries to Jesus and Saka, as Arsenal’s attacking options are further limited.Arteta was asked at his pre-match press conference on Tuesday whether the club was targeting a striker in the January transfer window. In response, he confirmed that the club was “actively looking” to improve their squad, particularly in the attacking department. “We are actively looking in the market to improve the squad, and that’s been since day one,” said Arteta. “We would be naive not to do that because it’s an opportunity always to evolve the team, to improve the squad, and especially with the circumstances that we have.”The club’s search for reinforcements is made all the more urgent by the combination of Jesus’ injury and Saka’s extended absence. Arteta acknowledged that the current situation has heightened the need for new additions, particularly in the attacking area. While the manager was reluctant to speculate on specific targets, he emphasized that the club would be doing everything it could to address the situation and provide more options for the second half of the season.”We are looking and we are trying, and let’s see what we are able to do,” Arteta added, leaving the door open for potential signings in the coming weeks. The January transfer window is a notoriously difficult time to make high-impact acquisitions, but with the stakes higher than ever for Arsenal, the club is under pressure to secure the right additions to help them navigate the remainder of the campaign.Beyond the search for a new striker, Arsenal’s squad has other areas that could benefit from reinforcements. The Gunners have experienced injuries to several key players this season, highlighting a need for depth across multiple positions. In addition to the attacking void left by Jesus and Saka, Arteta may look to strengthen his midfield and defensive options to ensure the team remains competitive throughout the second half of the season.One area where Arsenal have been relatively solid this season is their defense, with Gabriel Magalhães and William Saliba forming a strong partnership at the back. However, the loss of attacking firepower has placed even more pressure on the defense to keep clean sheets and provide the platform for a successful campaign. The team’s overall depth will be tested in the coming weeks, especially as they face crucial fixtures in the Premier League, as well as in the League Cup and other cup competitions.The North London Derby against Tottenham on Wednesday is set to be a pivotal match for Arsenal, with the team needing a positive result to boost morale and keep their Premier League title hopes alive. A win would provide a much-needed confidence boost for Arteta and his players, particularly as they look to overcome their recent slump in form. The absence of key players like Jesus and Saka will undoubtedly complicate matters, but Arteta will be hoping his squad can rise to the occasion.With the January transfer window now in full swing, Arsenal will be hoping to make some key signings that will help them achieve their goals for the season. The club’s pursuit of a new striker is a priority, but Arteta will also be looking for opportunities to strengthen other areas of the squad as they look to challenge for silverware in both domestic and European competitions.In conclusion, Arsenal’s current situation underscores the unpredictable nature of a football season. Injuries to key players like Gabriel Jesus and Bukayo Saka have forced the club to reassess its squad depth and make adjustments during the January transfer window. While the team has shown promise this season, their attacking woes and lack of squad depth have highlighted the importance of strengthening the squad in the coming weeks. With Arteta and the club’s recruitment team actively seeking new signings, Arsenal fans will be hoping that the club can make the necessary moves to ensure a successful second half of the season.