GABRIEL JESUS is set for an MRI scan amid fears he could be set for an extended spell out.
The Arsenal striker, 27, missed yesterday’s 2-0 win at Aston Villa with a groin injury.
Jesus picked up the strain in training two days before the trip to Villa Park, having played the final five minutes against Wolves last weekend.
And Mikel Arteta revealed he is sweating over his No9, who scored four Premier League goals in 27 games last season.
The Gunners boss said: “Unfortunately on Thursday in the training session, just at the end he felt something in his groin.
“We’ll need to assess him. We need to have an MRI scan to see.
“But he wasn’t available for the game. We have to see [if it is a long-term injury].
“Probably Sunday or Monday we’ll have the results to see if it’s a matter of days or weeks. We don’t know.”
And those results could play a factor in Eddie Nketiah’s future.
The striker has been surplus to requirements at the Emirates and linked with a £30million transfer to Nottingham Forest.
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But if Jesus is sidelined for a significant chunk of the season, that could force Arteta to hold on to the Englishman.
Arteta – who has started Kai Havertz up front in both games so far this season – added: “At the moment, Eddie is our player. He’s very committed to us.
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“Regardless of the noise, he’s here and he wants to be here with us. He’s really happy that we won the game.”
Arsenal continued their perfect start to the Premier League campaign by taking all three points at Villa.
Leandro Trossard and Thomas Partey got the goals to secure the victory.
But plenty of the praise went to David Raya for his stunning wondersave to deny Ollie Watkins.
ARSENAL made sure to keep pace with Manchester City as they bagged a late 2-0 win against bogey team Aston Villa.
Timely goals from Leandro Trossard and Thomas Partey helped Mikel Arteta maintain a 100 per cent start to the season.
But they owed a lot to keeper David Raya who somehow denied Ollie Watkins at 0-0.
Here is how SunSport’s Jordan Davies rated the Gunners stars…
DAVID RAYA – 9/10
Other than watching Watkins’ shot dribble wide, a fairly quiet first half before a smart save to halt Rogers’ flick across goal.
He then pulled off an unbelievable stop on the line to deny a Watkins header, getting up off the floor after a deflected shot smacked the bar and bounced out.
JURRIEN TIMBER – 7
Showed his quality in the opening few minutes to break Villa’s tricky block before leaving Onana in a heap with a hefty body check.
Likely to keep this starting spot ahead of Zinchenko.
WILLIAM SALIBA – 9
Immense. Watkins barely had a sniff up against him. Arsenal’s difference-maker in these tight, nervy games.
In a rare instance, lost his temper with McGinn in the first half, but regained his composure and was a rock at the back.
Made a late lung-busting run back to block a late counter and celebrated like it was a goal.
GABRIEL – 5
Very lucky not to hand Villa the lead. Stripped on the edge of his box claiming a foul but thankful to see Watkins somehow drag his effort wide.
Picked up a needless yellow in the second half for wild challenge on Onana. One of his poorer games in an Arsenal shirt with mistakes that should have been punished.
BEN WHITE – 7
Solid as ever, needing to be alert with Villa lethal on the counter, covering superbly.
In pure White fashion, started a melee after smacking a ball into McGinn for doing the same to Saliba, with an expressionless look on his face throughout.
THOMAS PARTEY – 8
Brilliantly stopped several early Villa counters and showed good physicality in his entertaining battle against McGinn.
Looked leggy late on but kept on by Arteta, and rewarded his manager with a rare goal.
DECLAN RICE – 7
Drove forward more with Partey sitting deeper. Lovely pass in behind for Havertz which should have been finished off.
MARTIN ODEGAARD – 7
Kept things ticking with some cute passes in the Villa final third and threw around plenty of tackles in the middle of the pitch.
Played in Saka in the 64th minute but the winger opted not to shoot, but three minutes later teed up Saka again to provide for Trossard.
GABRIEL MARTINELLI – 5
Had an early chance to break free down the left but his delivery into Saka was under hit.
Was just as lacklustre after the break and lucky to stay on for as long as he did, coming off in the 65th minute.
BUKAYO SAKA – 8
Looked to have put Arsenal ahead after 15 minutes but for a wonderful Martinez fingertip save.
Through on goal in the second half, he wrongly chose to try and round the Villa keeper and made a mess of his finish.
But, all that matters are his assists for Trossard and Partey – his persistence paid off.
KAI HAVERTZ – 6
Unlucky not to find the net from a scrappy corner, hitting the bar with a toe poke. Wasteful in Villa’s box with two great chances squandered.
Worked hard, but not as clinical as he has been.
SUBS:
LEANDRO TROSSARD (MARTINELLI, 65) – 9
Almost gave Villa the lead within seconds of coming on, losing Ezri Konsa at a free-kick with a volley looping just wide.
But then, he pops up in the other box and instinctively curls in a beautiful finish.
Played his part in Partey’s strike too with a perfect run in behind.
RICCARDO CALAFIORI (TIMBER, 80) – 6
Premier League debut for the Italian. Got in the good books of Arsenal fans by winding up Martinez almost instantly.
REISS NELSON (SAKA, 87) – N/A
