Arsenal star in doubt for Newcastle United clash after World Cup injury

Arsenal could be without one of their most important players for their clash with Newcastle United next month.

We still have plenty of time before the Premier League returns on Boxing Day, with World Cup action still ongoing in Qatar. Though, Newcastle fans will be plenty excited for the return of club action given the season their side are currently enjoying. Eddie Howe’s men are currently third in the Premier League and looking a solid bet for some sort of European qualification.

There is still plenty of time remaining in the season, though, with more than half the season still to play, and Newcastle have some big tests to pass. One of those tests comes shortly after club football resumes, with a trip to north London on the calendar.

Newcastle face Arsenal on January 3, and that will be a huge test, even with the superb run of 10 unbeaten in the Premier League the Magpies currently find themselves on. Arsenal have won all but two of their games so far, sitting five points clear of Manchester City at the top of the table.

Arsenal have set the standard so far this season, but they have done so with the help of big-money summer signing Gabriel Jesus, who has scored five and assisted six from the 14 Premier League appearances he has racked up. Jesus is currently away with Brazil at the World Cup in Qatar, and after substitute appearances, he was handed a start for Brazil’s final group stage clash, against Cameroon, when Tite’s men came off second best.

During that clash, Jesus had to come off with a knee injury just after the hour-mark, and Brazilian outlet Globo have reported that early tests indicate the striker will be out for a month, missing the rest of the World Cup. If the report is accurate, Jesus would be touch and go to make it back for Arsenal’s clash with Newcastle exactly a month from Saturday, on January 3.

Of course, Jesus could make it back, but it’s worth noting that Arsenal face Tottenham in the North London Derby in their first Premier League game after the Newcastle clash, so the striker may not be risked.