
Arsenal have had a bad few days. After drawing 1-1 with Brighton and Hove Albion in the Premier League last weekend, they lost 2-0 to Newcastle United in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final tie at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday and got knocked out of the FA Cup at the third-round stage by Manchester United on Sunday.
While Arsenal fans will be hugely disappointed by the defeat to United on penalties at the Emirates Stadium in North London, they will also be worried by the injury picked up by Gabriel Jesus.
The Brazil international started the match for Arsenal and had to be taken off in the 40th minute.
After the match, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said, as quoted on the club’s official website: “Big worry. That’s my feeling. He had to come off on a stretcher with a lot of pain. Touching his knee, it’s not looking good.”
Now, Jesus has not been a regular for Arsenal this season. The 27-year-old has made six starts and 11 substitute appearances in the Premier League. The striker has scored three goals in those games.
While Arteta has used Kai Havertz as the centre-forward this season, Jesus’s injury should force Arsenal into making a big decision on signing a new striker in the January transfer window.
Arsenal need a lethal striker to enhance their chances of being successful this season. The North London club could still beat Liverpool to the Premier League title.
The Gunners have to make a move for Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic. Arsenal have long been linked with the Serbian, and time has now come for them to bid for the 24-year-old striker.
Vlahovic is not having a great time at Juventus, and there is speculation that the Italian giants could offload him.
With talks between the player and the club over a new deal not going well, Juventus could sell Vlahovic in the summer of 2025, according to a report in Calciomercato in December.
Arsenal should try to take advantage of this situation and make their move for Vlahovic this month.
Not many top-class strikers become available in the middle of the season, and Arsenal need to become serious about Vlahovic.
The Serbian has scored 12 goals and given two assists in 23 matches in all competitions so far this season.
During the 2023-24 campaign, Vlahovic found the back of the net 18 times and gave three assists in 38 appearances.
