Big blow as Arsenal star has fresh groin injury, not with squad for Aston Villa game – report | OneFootball

Arsenal forward Gabriel Jesus has sustained a groin injury and did not travel with the rest of the squad to the Midlands for the Aston Villa game later today, according to Arsenal fan account and journalist Team news and ticks on Patreon.

The Gunners account, famous for leaking team news on the internet and is followed by the likes of Dharmesh Sheth, David Ornstein, Fabrizio Romano and Gary Jacobs on X (formerly known as Twitter), made the claim this morning, and he has a track record of getting his news right.

Jesus has struggled with injuries since joining Arsenal from Manchester City, and he suggested that he might need surgery over the summer towards the end of last season.

While the Brazil international striker eventually did not need the knee surgery he expected to have this summer, it appears his groin is troubling him and manager Mikel Arteta has decided to leave him back at home in North London.

The Gunners will have to make do with Kai Havertz as their number 9 as usual and call upon somebody else on the bench if need be during the game.

Arsenal lost both of their Premier League fixtures to Villa last term, which ended their title ambitions, and they will be desperate to leave Villa Park with all three points today.

They will have to do so without Jesus and Arteta will hope the 27-year-old will be fit enough when the Gunners take on Brighton & Hove Albion at Emirates Stadium next Saturday.

Arsenal may need to bolster their attacking ranks before the transfer window closes on Friday having strengthened their options at the back and in the middle of the park.

They have been linked with a late interest in Napoli hitman Victor Osimhen, while his Atalanta counterpart Ademola Lookman is reportedly on their radar too.

However, the versatile Nigeria international forward would prefer to join Paris Saint-Germain and has agreed personal terms with the French club, but Arsenal are monitoring the situation and could pounce if the deal falls through.