Arsenal have been presented with an unprecedented task ahead of the January transfer window. Much has been said of the need for further squad depth added to Mikel Arteta's squad for the second half of the season, but an injury to Gabriel Jesus has turned the upcoming window on its head.
The Gunners forward was confirmed to miss the rest of Brazil's World Cup campaign in Qatar after being forced off with a knee injury in the 1-0 defeat to Cameroon. While his absence won't be as missed by A selecao, his presence in the frontline at the Emirates Stadium will be a hard one to fill.
Since his £45million summer move from English champions Manchester City, Jesus has played a key role in helping Arsenal to their best Premier League start. The north Londoners sit top of the tree after 14 games and the 25-year-old has added goals and superior build-up play to the Gunners squad.
READ MORE: Arsenal handed major Gabriel Jesus injury update amid Brazil World Cup blow
Originally, football.london reported that the striker would only be sidelined for three or four weeks and would only miss the Gunners' Boxing Day clash against West Ham. However, reports in Brazil this morning have suggested the injury is worse than first feared and he could be out until at least March.
A new attacker had already been considered in an attempt to bolster Arteta's squad for the tough title battle with Pep Guardiola's side and technical director Edu may be forced to delve into the market to ensure the goals don't dry up.
Mykhaylo Mudryk and Cody Gakpo will continue to be linked over the next month as they continue to attract interest form Europe's biggest clubs but the Gunners could look internally for a short-term replacement for Jesus.
football.london understands that striker Folarin Balogun's loan contract at Ligue 1 side Stade Reims does have a recall clause in it for January. The English striker has scored eight goals and registered another two assists in 15 league appearances, showing plenty of encouragement in his development after struggling with Middlesbrough last term.
However, with Eddie Nketiah also in the ranks at London Colney, it remains unclear whether Arteta will recall Balogun to provide back-up to Nketiah when he can continue leading the line for William Still's side in France.
It's expected that plenty of No. 9's will be linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium over the coming weeks. Work behind-the-scenes will be underway to construct a plan for Jesus' absence, should the reports be accurate he will miss the first three months of 2023.
READ NEXT:
Gabriel Jesus best and worst case injury scenario revealed with Arsenal set to make announcement
Bukayo Saka set to start for England vs Senegal as Foden or Rashford face World Cup omission
Virgil van Dijk hands Mikel Arteta £43.5m Arsenal transfer boost with brutal Man United dig
Arsenal news: Gabriel Jesus suffers major World Cup blow as 'lucrative' Bayern Munich offer made
Arsenal news and transfers LIVE: Latest news, rumours and gossip from the Emirates Stadium
