Arsenal without key man for Aston Villa game as £30m deal nears completion

Gabriel Jesus has not travelled with the Arsenal squad for their game against Aston Villa due to a groin injury, LondonWorld understands.

Former Manchester City forward Jesus suffered the injury in training earlier this week and Arsenal's medical team have decided for him to stay in London and recover.

Jesus’ latest injury marks another frustrating setback for the Brazilian, who has been plagued by various fitness issues since joining Arsenal. Despite a promising preseason where he showed renewed energy, the 27-year-old was relegated to the bench in Arsenal's last match against Wolves, only coming on as a second-half substitute.

The absence of Jesus from the squad has heightened concerns about Arsenal's attacking depth, especially with the ongoing uncertainty around Eddie Nketiah’s future at the club.

“It’s one of the toughest places to go for sure,” said Gunners boss Arteta before the Villa game.

“We know that, we’ve prepared really well to understand what we have to do to go there and win the game. They dominate every aspect of the game, when you give them space to run they are phenomenal, when there is no space and they have to find it they can do that. In any restarts or set-pieces, they are at it.

“Tomorrow we go there with that belief and being very clear in what we want to do and what we have to do to earn the right to win the game, and we will certainly try to do that.”

Meanwhile, Mikel Merino is in London putting the finishing touches to a deal which will see him join Arsenal from Real Sociedad.

A fee worth up to £32.6million including add-ons has been agreed, while a four-year contract with an option to extend until 2029 is expected to be signed.

Merino won’t be registered in time to make the squad for Arsenal’s trip to Villa on Saturday evening.