Gabriel Jesus missed Arsenal’s big game against Liverpool (Photo: Getty)
Mikel Arteta is hopeful that the knee injury that has ruled Gabriel Jesus out of Arsenal vs Liverpool is only a ‘short-term thing’.
Arsenal host Liverpool in a pivotal game in the Premier League title race, as defeat for the Gunners would leave them eight points off the Reds at the top of the table.
Arteta has made two changes to the starting XI that beat Nottingham Forest midweek, with Jesus and Emile Smith Rowe dropping out for Kai Havertz and Jorginho.
Jesus scored at the City Ground, but his manager later revealed that the forward was playing through the pain barrier thanks to a recurring knee issue.
It was always touch and go whether Jesus would be fit enough to start against Liverpool, though Arteta confirmed in his pre-match press conference that the Brazil international had been in training all week.
But he wasn’t even on the bench for Sunday’s match at the Emirates, in another huge blow for the Gunners.
Speaking ahead of kick-off, Arteta said: ‘Unfortunately he had a setback in training and wasn’t fit to play.
‘It’s something to do with the knee, but I think it’s a short-term thing.’
Explaining the decision to start Havertz over Eddie Nketiah, the manager added: ‘Every game is different and the type of game that we expect against Liverpool – We already played them twice and we know what to expect from each other.
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‘I chose the players that are best to start the game.’
Jesus has now missed 10 games thanks to injuries this season, and has only completed 90 minutes just five times so far.
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