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LONDON. — Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus will undergo knee surgery and is expected to be sidelined for at least three months, according to reports in Brazil.

Jesus’ World Cup campaign has been cut short after he suffered a knee problem during Brazil’s 1-0 defeat to Cameroon on Friday.

The 25-year-old underwent an MRI scan on Saturday, and Brazilian TV network SporTV reported later that evening that the injury is worse than initially feared as he requires surgery to repair the damage.

Jesus was due to return to London yesterday afternoon to begin his recovery and is set to be absent for a minimum of three months of Arsenal’s season, which puts his earliest return date in March 2023. The striker appeared to confirm his injury, tweeting: “If there was a timeline and I could see you and tell you something, I would say ‘Gabriel, you are a winner’.

“Thank you to everyone who sent messages of support and affection.”

It will come as a massive blow to Arsenal’s title hopes, with Jesus being an integral part of the Gunners’ unexpected title charge.

This injury may accelerate Arsenal’s transfer plans to sign a new striker in January.

Eddie Nketiah is currently the only other recognised senior striker at the club.

And while he has been a reliable deputy for Jesus when coming into the team, there are question marks over the long-term viability of playing him up front as the main striker.

Arsenal fans did not take earlier reports of his injury well either, with one even suggesting their season is “OVER”.

Memphis Depay has been earmarked as one solution by Piers Morgan.

The Manchester United flop is now starring at the World Cup for Holland under Louis van Gaal — scoring his nation’s first as they beat the USA 3-1 to seal a spot in the quarter-finals.

After the game, Piers said: “Arsenal should sign Memphis in January. Such a good player and would work well up front with Jesus.”

Jesus being crocked would delay such a partnership, but prior to that it would give Mikel Arteta the firepower he needs to try and maintain the five-point lead they currently have. While Arsenal now sit on 37 points after 14 games, their record of 31 points from 12 games puts them on course to break the club’s record for points. Furthermore, it suggests history is on their side – with only one team failing to win the English Premier League title after earning as many points at that stage.

Meanwhile, Arsenal stepped up their preparations ahead of the English Premier League resumption with a behind-closed-doors friendly against Watford on Saturday.

The Gunners haven’t played a competitive fixture since their 2-0 win over Wolves on November 12, a victory which helped Mikel Arteta’s squad move five points clear of Manchester City at the top of the table after 14 games. — The Sun.