Arsenal’s trio of Gabriels have been selected by Brazil for upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Colombia and Argentina.
While the inclusion of Gabriel Magalhaes and Gabriel Martinelli is not particularly surprising, Jesus’ call-up will raise a few eyebrows given he’s struggling with a hamstring injury.
The 26-year-old pulled up during the Gunners’ 2-1 win away at Sevilla on 24 October and Mikel Arteta said on Friday that he couldn’t guarantee the player would be available when the Interlull is over. Some reports have even suggested the attacker could be sidelined until December.
Aqui a lista completa! pic.twitter.com/OMSEZIAg0f
— Vitor Sergio Rodrigues VSR (@vitorsergio) November 6, 2023
Arteta faces the media on Tuesday afternoon ahead of the return fixture with Sevilla and we expect he’ll be pressed on this latest development. Who knows, maybe Jesus is in a better state than first thought? After Saturday’s toothless attacking display at Newcastle it would be a welcome bonus.
Brazil currently sit third after four games in the CONMEBOL World Cup qualification rankings after a mixed set of results for interim head coach Fernando Diniz.
Update
Diniz says Brazil want to check Jesus’ fitness in person. He cites not calling up Martinelli for the last camp only for the winger to return fro Arsenal in advance of the international break. (via Globo Esporte translated by Sport Witness)
Death to interlulls!
Death to international games full stop, they’re boring trash!
Come on! Gimme your break will you! He didn’t event make to st. James Park, now he has to go on international duty?
Injured Jesus or another one?😃
It’d be fine if all the games were competitive and they weren’t trying to milk even more games from players. Between the absurd friendlies and increasing demands on the club side and intl side they need to make it 2 breaks max. One break per month at the start of each season is awful. Do a 3 week break middle of season plus the March one, that’s it. If they can’t fit in all qualifiers, play some directly after the club season, still a few weeks from group stages. Push back the tourney if needed. Sadly, the crooks running things… Read more »
As a Swede interlulls mean watching Sweden struggle to contain some tropical tax haven where half the team are made up accounts and the other half police with maybe one player in the German third division who supplements his income as a brickie. Then after a hard fought 1-1 the greyest man on Earth, the Sweden manager, goes on TV to defend his bland football while getting butthurt at the slightest hint of criticism.
It’s fucking bleak!
I also can’t wait for Thomas Partey to get healthy just in time to leave for 4-6 weeks of AFCON in January.
AFCON is a tournament which has a handful of spectators braying with the vuvzellas. #smh Not sure why African players get so excited about it.
I hate to say this but it’s time we sold Jesus. He’s a great player but he’s too injury prone. We just can’t rely on him.
Ditto Partey and ESR
hard to argue with that, we can’t rely on any of the 3 of them to be fit. People on here don’t like to hear it, but the players that can’t stay fit will never change. It’s definitely more than luck. there’s a pattern with all 3, they’re not getting impact injuries, maybe it’s got more to do with lifestyle and commitment.
Did you mean hard to disagree?
I don’t get this at all about Jesus. He had a serious knee injury which required major surgery then another smaller one on his return. Total freak injury. Aside from that yes he’s had the hamstring strain but that happens to a lot of players. It’s not like Partey or ESR. If he comes back and gets another muscle injury fairly soon then fair play but I think we need to cut him some slack.
yes, you are 100% right.
For pity’s sake, do we not get to see him first for over £250k per week?
Maybe the 3 Gabis can “talk” to Cunto Gilgamesh!
I think football associations don’t believe a word we are saying anymore when it comes to injuries. National sides seem to think Arteta is trying to avoid sending players away whenever he can, which is why they want to check injuries for themselves. It’s not a good look, as much as I hate international friendlies, qualifiers, etc.
Right. So we have dropped him from important games weeks ahead of an interlull just so he doesn’t go away. Makes sense. Come off it.
Even if that was true, so what? Fuck international football. It’s run by crooks who think nothing of wasting our expensive players for the sake of their own money spinning machine. Fuck them and their bullshit friendlies and Mickey Mouse cups. Send them and their dictator friends into a mud pit where they get to gangbang each other instead.