David Ornstein shares Arsenal transfer plan after Gabriel Jesus' ACL injury that will likely sideline him for rest of season

Arsenal are open to adding a new striker to their ranks after Gabriel Jesus' long-term anterior cruciate ligament injury, according to famed journalist David Ornstein.

The Gunners, who are on a three-match winless run across competitions, were dealt a major blow earlier on Sunday (January 12). Gabriel Jesus picked up a serious injury during his side's FA Cup home loss to Manchester United.

Discussing Jesus' injury issue, Ornstein wrote in his The Athletic column:

"It got worse during the Manchester United loss [in the FA Cup third round] when Gabriel Jesus went off and he is now set for a long spell out through a suspected anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture – although it is his left knee rather than the right, on which he had surgery in 2022. Further specialist reviews are scheduled for Tuesday to establish the full extent of the damage."

Shedding light on Arsenal's winter recruitment plans, Ornstein added:

"Arsenal do have some financial room to manoeuvre, while their desire to recruit both a striker and wide attacker is long-standing and has not receded. The problem is the availability of players that manager Mikel Arteta wants, the level of cost involved and whether the options would represent an upgrade on existing personnel."

Over the last few months, the Gunners have reportedly been linked with a number of strikers. Mikel Arteta's side are keeping close tabs on Alexander Isak, Viktor Gyokeres, Benjamin Sesko, Dusan Vlahovic, and Jhon Duran now.

Arsenal told to replace 25-year-old attacker

Following Kai Havertz's sub-par performance against Manchester United earlier this Sunday, Rangers legend Ally McCoist has urged Arsenal to sign a new forward. He told talkSPORT (h/t Metro):

"I think he's a very good player, I really do, and I've liked him for a long time. I think he's a very intelligent player but an out-and-out centre-forward he is not. He can play the position as a kind of stop-gap if you're really struggling, he can play a false-nine. He can do that but not long term. I believe that to win the league, you've got to have somebody who's going to get you 25 goals a season."

Havertz, 25, has started 24 of his 27 appearances across all competitions for the Gunners this campaign. The German has scored 12 goals so far.

Arsenal, on the other hand, are in second spot in the 2024-25 Premier League standings with 40 points from 20 matches, six off leaders Liverpool.