Gabriel Jesus’ Arsenal career can be sorted out into two clear categories, pre-2022 FIFA World Cup injury and post-2022 FIFA World Cup injury.
The Brazilian international suffered a knee problem out in Qatar that saw Jesus ruled out on the sideline for some months, with the striker since returning a different player in almost every negative sense.
Jesus’ fitness problems have extended into this season, and the 26-year-old attacker looks like a shadow of his former self, with the former Manchester City star not even a guaranteed starter for Arsenal.
Gabriel Jesus admits he could make huge sacrifice to fix injury issue
And speaking to TNT Sports, Jesus hinted he could miss this summer’s Copa America to undergo surgery to resolve his injury for good, which this season has clearly caused issues.
Jesus said: “Obviously, I want to play in another Copa America, I want to win, I want to conquer, I don’t know, we’ll see. I honestly don’t know if my knee will be good enough to be available, but it’s still three months away, so we’ll see what happens.
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“Even here at Arsenal, there are things that you have to hold on to, go, train, play, train today, don’t train, play, in short, it’s difficult, but I intend to, my desire is always to be available for both Arsenal and the national team.
“It doesn’t matter if, at the end of the season, I have to open up my knee and correct what’s getting in the way and end up missing out on a chance to play in the Copa America.”
Arsenal will be delighted if Gabriel Jesus misses the Copa America
Given Jesus’ fitness issues this season, a summer off away from a tournament as intense as the Copa America might be exactly what the attacker needs to return next season fully fresh.
The Brazilian star has not been himself in recent months for the Gunners, with Jesus’ impact with Arsenal hitting levels few supporters would have expected based on his form in 2022.
As a result, Arsenal will be delighted if Jesus decides to take this summer off to focus on healing his injury completely, a prospect that could benefit the Gunners in a big way next season.