Rio Ferdinand insists he's 'worried' about Arsenal when EPL football returns

Rio Ferdinand is worried about Arsenal's title challenge once the Premier League resumes, after Gabriel Jesus' World Cup setback.

Before proceedings took a break for events in Qatar, the Gunners signed off with a 2-0 win over Wolves that saw them go five points clear at the top of the Premier League table.

The club have also benefited from players such as captain Martin Odegaard, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Gabriel Magalhaes not being involved in the tournament. While early exits for Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey have seen them already return to first-team training.

However, Mikel Arteta's side have been dealt a massive blow thanks to Jesus' injury that will see the forward sidelined for up to three months with a knee injury.

Speaking on a World Cup special of his FIVE YouTube show, Ferdinand mentioned Arsenal and expressed his concerns over the Gunners.

‘I’m worrying for Arsenal after we go back!' The BBC World Cup pundit said.

'I’m just saying. Just because of Jesus, that’s all I’m worried about.’

Jesus' absence leaves Mikel Arteta's team light on attacking options when the Premier League gets back underway on Boxing Day, as the Gunners host West Ham at the Emirates.

Eddie Nketiah is the only fit striker at the club, and although he filled in excellently at the end of last season, Arteta may be tempted to dip into the transfer market in January to bolster his attacking options. With both Atletico Madrid's wantaway star Joao Felix and Ukrainian star Mykhaylo Mudryk linked as possible recruits.

Arsenal have been in impressive form during the warm-weather training break, securing friendly wins over Lyon and AC Milan, while a match against Juventus set to take place on Saturday.

They currently lead the Premier League table having won 14 of their 12 matches so far this campaign - two more than champions Manchester City, who are behind the Gunners in second place.