Mikel Arteta faces being without an Arsenal star until 2026, with the Spaniard dealt a serious blow after an injury update from N5.
Arsenal title hopes fade after defeat to West Ham
The Gunners are already having to face the notion of this Premier League title race possibly being over already, considering Liverpool are currently 11 points clear after what was a disastrous weekend for Arteta's side.
Liverpool travelled to English champions Man City and secured a vital victory at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, taking full advantage of Arsenal's fumble at home to West Ham the day prior.
| Arsenal's next five Premier League games | Date |
| Nottingham Forest (away) | Today |
| Man Utd (away) | March 9th |
| Chelsea (home) | March 16th |
| Fulham (home) | April 1st |
| Everton (away) | April 5th |
A diving header from Jarrod Bowen handed Graham Potter's men all three points at the Emirates Stadium, with Arsenal's lack of a striking option on full display that afternoon as they failed to break down the east Londoners time and time again.
Arteta's best hopes of winning a first piece of major silverware since their FA Cup triumph in 2020 lie in Arsenal's Champions League campaign, with interim sporting director Jason Ayto planning summer recruitment ahead of a potentially more successful Premier League title challenge next term.
Following long-term injuries to both Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus, some reports have even suggested that Arsenal could look to sign two strikers before 2025/2026.
RB Leipzig starlet Benjamin Sesko is apparently a top target for Arteta, with a move for Newcastle United star Alexander Isak appearing too difficult, while it is also believed that Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins remains on Arsenal's radar after their failed January bid.
Arsenal could be without Gabriel Jesus until 2026
Now, according to journalist Steve Kay, the need for a new centre-forward or two is made all the more prevalent by the extent of Jesus' injury.
The £265,0000-per-week striker was just hitting a rich vein of form, before rupturing his ACL during Arsenal's FA Cup third round defeat to Man United, and it appears he could be out for the foreseeable.