Gabriel Jesus next? Seven times injuries completely changed the Premier League title race

Arsenal are clearly top of the Premier League but will have to manage without Gabriel Jesus. Injuries have already helped shape the title race.

Arsenal's five-point advantage over Manchester City is about to be tested during Gabriel Jesus' absence. These players left a title race and returned to something a little less prestigious.

Roy Keane (1997/98)

Manchester United's position before the injury: second, one point behind first. Manchester United's final position: second, one point behind first.

United were second when they moved to Leeds at the end of September and they finished second behind Arsenal at the end of a season that saw their captain miss for three quarters. But it might have been a happier ending for the Red Devils had they not been forced without Peak-Roy Keane for most of the campaign.

In truth, United coped as well as anyone would expect, at least initially. Sir Alex Ferguson's side regained top spot less than a month after Keane was crocked and they retained their position at the top until mid-April when they had squandered an 11-point lead on Arsenal, thanks in large part to winning just five. of 13 games after the New Year.

It's hard to imagine Keane accepting United's standards dropping as much as they did, no matter how impressive Arsenal were chasing them.

Eduardo (2007/08)

Arsenal position before injury: First, five points clear. Arsenal final position: third, four points clear.

"We have been affected as much as Arsenal and that has definitely played a role in our two seasons," said Alex McLeish in June 2008, a month after comfortably guiding Birmingham to relegation from the Premier League. The Scot was half right: the Blues picked up 12 of 11 points after their 2-2 draw with Arsenal last February, up from 23 of 27 before.

McLeish may claim that Martin Taylor's infamous leg-breaking challenge against Eduardo nine years ago had a detrimental impact on both sides, but in truth it only hurt Arsenal. They came within five points clear of St Andrew at the top of the Premier League and left the shadow of the team threatening to end their four-year wait for the title.

Having lost just one of 26 Premier League games before their fateful February visit to the West Midlands, Arsenal drew their next three league matches before losing to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Another loss to Manchester United, as well as a Champions League quarter-final exit at the hands of Liverpool, turned a promising season into a devastating one.

Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard (2008/09) "I spent two years with Fernando when he made me feel invincible," wrote Steven Gerrard in his 2015 autobiography. 'I always knew where he was, where he was going to move next.

"I'm not a natural No.10 but, for a few years, Fernando helped me become one," added the Liverpool legend. "I had my best season back then, as a No.10, and that was thanks to Fernando in 2007/08."

The 2008/09 season should, in theory, have been even more productive. It was Torres' second in the Premier League, having established himself as one of Europe's leading strikers in his debut campaign. He scored 33 goals and five assists in 46 games in 2007/08, while Gerrard scored 21 goals and provided 18 assists in 52.

Yet as the 2008/09 season is remembered for Liverpool which almost ended their wait to win a top-flight crown, their push to the Premier League title was achieved despite their two top players rarely meet. Torres and Gerrard have started just 14 league games together, of which they have won 11 and drawn three. If only it wasn't for those pesky hamstring/groin/bar fights with DJs who refuse to play Phil Collins.

Kevin De Bruyne (2015/16)

Manchester City's position before the injury: second, three points behind first. Manchester City position on return: fourth, 15 points behind first.

The impact of De Bruyne's absence during his debut campaign in England may have been underestimated. The Belgian was ruled out for 10 weeks after tearing ligaments in his knee and ankle in the second leg of the Capital One Cup semi-final second leg against Everton in January 2016. City would go on to lift the trophy - the last of Manuel Pellegrini during his time as manager. – but missed bigger prizes without De Bruyne.

They dropped from second to fourth at least in part because of his injury, losing four of seven Premier League games, including to fellow title contenders Leicester and...