Arsenal to be without Jesus against Bodo/Glimt

Gabriel Jesus

will not be playing for Arsenal in their battle against Bodo/Glimt in the Europa League, and Mikel Arteta asked referees to protect his players more. Since making a move from Manchester City this summer, Jesus has met the back of the net five times in 11 games to help Arsenal start the season strongly. They are sitting top of the Premier League table as well as the Europa League group.

However, the Brazilian will not be part of the squad that goes to Norway and Arteta explained that he is having some time off due to the physically demanding time he had gone through.

"We thought with everything he [Jesus] has been through in the last few weeks, we thought it was better that he was staying there,"

Arteta told reporters.

"Obviously, Gabi is a player that gets involved in a lot of physical contact. It is the way he plays, that is in his nature. It is up to the referees to protect the players.

"I'm really happy with how our players are performing and that's the most important thing. Then it's up to the referees to protect them."

The Arsenal coach also was not willing to share his comments regarding Arsenal and Liverpool player’s confrontation during Arsenal’s 3-2 win at the weekend, saying:

"It's something I don't want to touch. It's in the FA's hands and I'm not going to get involved in that.

"The FA is in charge of the situation, and we'll have to wait and see."

When quizzed if he backed his players’ way of events, the tactician replied:

"100 per cent."

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