‘Makes perfect sense’: Charles Watts claims Arteta could now make a great decision for Arsenal

Add as preferred source on Google

Arsenal star Gabriel Jesus has been tipped by Charles Watts to miss out on Thursday’s Europa League trip to Bodo/Glimt.

The Gunners will hope to take a step closer to the knockouts when they head to Norway to face the reigning league champions.

Jesus suffered a head injury against Liverpool at the weekend, sparking concerns about his fitness.

He was caught by an elbow from Liverpool defender Kostas Tsimikas and underwent lengthy treatment on the pitch.

Jesus eventually got to his feet and carried on before he was replaced late on by Eddie Nketiah.

Arsenal have assessed the striker this week and the in-form striker has not suffered a concussion.

He is therefore available for the trip to Bodo/Glimt.

However, it is thought he did not train on Wednesday morning as a precaution.

And Watts, speaking on his YouTube channel, reckons Mikel Arteta won’t take Jesus to Norway for the game.

With Leeds United coming up on Sunday, Watts feels the 25-year-old will be saved for that match.

“There’s no issue in terms of the head,” he said. “That’s the word coming out of Arsenal, it was last night.

“But he didn’t train today at London Colney, which is the last training session.

“So you would expect he’s probably going to be left behind and that makes perfect sense.

“It’s like, give Jesus a rest for this one, because he can be so influential in that Leeds game on Sunday.

“So leave him behind, don’t take him on the plane, don’t make him go over there just to sit on the bench, and let him have some rest and recuperation.”

Watts is spot-on; Jesus shouldn’t travel with Arsenal for this one – TBR View

Jesus has proven an “incredible” signing for Arsenal, but with so many games on right now, Arteta has to manage him and all other Gunners players correctly.

Arsenal are on the verge of reaching the knockouts, so it’s not like there’s much need for Jesus in such a game.

And then you have the plastic pitch to think about – so really, it’s best that Jesus doesn’t feature.