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Brazil might not bring Gabriel Jesus to the World Cup - Tim Vickery

None of Arsenal's three Brazilians named Gabriel are in Brazil's squad for their World Cup warm-up games. Will Gabriel Jesus really miss the tournament?



South America-based journalist Tim Vickery joined The Football Show to discuss Brazil.

Brazil are the favourites for the World Cup.

And they will soon play critical warm-up friendlies against Tunisia and Ghana. The Brazil player pool is massive. Players such as Phillippe Coutinho, Rodrygo, Antony and Roberto Firmino are not in the most recent squad. Coutinho is a favourite of the current coach too.

But the bigger surprise is the absence of Gabriel Jesus. The Arsenal striker is in form. He has excelled since moving to London from Manchester City. He is versatile and offers a focal point as a striker. Yet, Jesus is further down the pecking order than Richarlison.

His Brazil teammates at Arsenal are in similar positions. Vickery explains each player's situation.

"If your name is Gabriel and you play for Arsenal, you're out," Vickery joked.

"All three of them were in the squad last time and they're not anymore...I think all three of them are in different positions. [Gabriel] Martinelli I think will miss out just because Brazil have more strikers in wide spaces than they know what to do with.

"Gabriel Magalhaes, I was really shocked with because he's been in and around the squad for a while without playing. And I would have thought that these friendlies against Ghana and Tunisia would be the moment just to give him a run out.

"Instead of which he's been left out and in for the very first time come a couple of Italy-based players. Brema of Juventus and Ibanez of Roma. One of those will certainly get a chance and you can only conclude that GAbriel Magalhaes has lost space and is no longer in pole position.

"It surprises me greatly because he is the only left-footed center back that they have...he probably has a real struggle to go.

"Gabriel Jesus is mystifying...I suspect that he'll go to the World Cup, but he won't be in the starting 11."

Jesus hasn't scored for Brazil for three years. But he has plenty of time between now and the World Cup to continue scoring for Arsenal. If he doesn't go to the World Cup, he may play with a greater point to prove in the new year.

So either way, it's a win-win scenario for Arsenal fans.

Trent Alexander-Arnold must look inside to get better.

 

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Arsenal Brazil Gabriel Jesus Tim Vickery World Cup