15 November 2023 , 17:30
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Brazil are ready to “risk” being on collision course with Arsenal over Gabriel Jesus.
Gunners boss Mikel Arteta was concerned about Jesus joining up with the Brazil squad because he had not fully recovered from a hamstring injury.
But Brazil boss Fernando Diniz was determined to name him for their crunch World Cup qualifiers with Colombia this week and Argentina which kicks off UK time in the early hours of next Wednesday. Jesus would then fly home and have less than 72 hours before Arsenal’s crunch match at Brentford on Saturday evening.
Arsenal technical director Edu and the club’s medical staff are in regular touch with the Brazil FA over Jesus’s fitness. Edu has a strong relationship with Brazil after his time with the federation while Arsenal also accept Diniz wanted Jesus to join up to show his support for the squad.
But Jesus was filmed limping by the Brazilian media when he got off the plane after flying Sunday night but did a light session in front of the cameras on Wednesday before the rest of the squad took part in full training.
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Arsenal striker Jesus will not travel to Colombia for the first game but Brazil have made it clear they want him to play in the second qualifier against bitter rivals Argentina. That could put Brazil on a major collision course with Arsenal who were adamant that his fitness needs managing.
Diniz insisted that Jesus wanted to join up, he is having expert medical care, has undergone a further scan and no risks will be taken. But Brazil are determined to play him against Argentina.
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Mikel Arteta already had concerns about Brazil's decision to call Jesus up for national team duty (Getty)Diniz said: “I trust the player and him being here. I talked to Gabriel and he didn’t come here without planning. He said he is feeling good and was already doing things ten days before the first game and 15 days before the second game.
“We thought it was an interesting risk to bring him here. He is in good condition. We are doing things with great care. As soon as he arrived, we gave him a new MRI scan. We are treating him very carefully.
“If he is in the right condition, he will be available against Argentina. If not, I’m sure it was very important for Gabriel to come here.”