Arsenal have confirmed that Gabriel Jesus has injured the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee, one of the most serious injuries to afflict footballers. 

The club revealed that Jesus, who is likely out for the rest of the season, will undergo surgery in the coming days before beginning his recovery. 

Jesus was forced off on a stretcher during Arsenal's FA Cup exit to Manchester United on Sunday after a first-half collision with Bruno Fernandes. 

'Everyone at the club fully focused on supporting Gabby to ensure he is back to full fitness as soon as possible,' the Gunners said in a statement. 

The forward's absence comes as another bitter blow to Mikel Arteta and Arsenal's fading title hopes, with talisman Bukayo Saka, who has hardly missed a game in recent years, also out injured. 

'We are actively looking in the market to improve the squad. That's been like that since day one,' Arteta said ahead of Wednesday's north London derby.  

'It would be naive not to do that. It's an opportunity to improve the squad. We are looking. We are trying. Let's see what we can do.'

His absence comes at a particularly inopportune time considering that he had hit a solid stride of form. 

Jesus has hit three goals in his last four Premier League games and also hit a hat-trick against Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals in December. 

Moreover, the Gunners' calendar is not relenting as they are back in Champions League action next week against Dinamo Zagreb, who are trying to hang on to the last knockout play-off spot.  

The injury to Jesus leaves Arsenal with just one fit striker, with Kai Havertz set to continue to play a lead role in the side. 

The German forward squandered some gilt-edged chances in the loss to Manchester United to continue Arsenal's recent struggles in front of goal. 

Not only did he miss a chance to win the game from six yards in the dying embers, he was the only star to miss his penalty in an agonising penalty shoot-out. 

That saw him draw criticism from sections of the fanbase, who have wondered why Arsenal don't sign somebody who is an out-and-out number nine.