- Gabriel Jesus did not play in Arsenal’s controversial 1-0 defeat to Newcastle United
- Brazil are without injured talisman Neymar and want Jesus to replace him
- CHRIS SUTTON: Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is a clown It all starts
Arsenal want Gabriel Jesus to miss Brazil’s World Cup qualifiers against Colombia and Argentina later this month.
The Gunners forward has missed Arsenal’s last three games due to a minor hamstring injury, which saw him limping off in last month’s Champions League win in Seville.
Jesus had hoped to be available for the Newcastle match but his return has been postponed.
The former Manchester City striker is now making pleasing progress, but a match against Sevilla on Wednesday against Burnley this weekend would open the door for Jesus’ selection by Brazil, who are already without Neymar.
Arsenal are taking a cautious approach to Jesus’ return given his previous injury concerns and would prefer their striker not to be included for international action next week, although the South Americans will select him. England recently selected Bukayo Saka before the forward pulled out of the matches.
Gabriel Jesus has scored nineteen goals and thirteen assists for the Brazilian national team since his debut
Jesus has struggled with injuries throughout his career but has been ruled out twice this season
Mikel Arteta wants to avoid international tax and get his Brazilian striker fit and shooting again
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With so many injuries for the Brazilian, Mikel Arteta could enter the January transfer market with a replacement in mind.
England and Brentford striker Ivan Toney has been linked with a move to the Emirates after serving his ban for gambling offenses and would be an ideal candidate to challenge the injury-prone Jesus.
Meanwhile, the Gunners are already without midfielder Thomas Partey, as he fears he will find it difficult to play again in 2023.
The Ghanaian star will be missing for “weeks” according to Arteta after suffering a groin injury in September and has since suffered a muscle injury.
Emile Smith Rowe will also be out for a month after a knee injury suffered against Sheffield United, while Jurrien Timber is a long-term casualty with a knee injury.