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In a turn of events that may raise eyebrows among Arsenal fans, 26-year-old striker Gabriel Jesus has been included in Brazil's squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers, despite his limited playing time for the Gunners this season.
Jesus, who has started only four of Arsenal's 12 Premier League matches due to a series of injuries, including a hamstring issue and a lingering knee problem, has faced challenges getting regular game time. His recent setbacks come on the heels of a three-month absence last season, stemming from a knee injury sustained during the 2022 World Cup.
Despite his struggles with fitness, Brazil manager Fernando Diniz has deemed Jesus fit enough to join the national squad. The striker, however, will not be in contention to face Colombia. Still, Diniz has hinted at the possibility of Jesus making a return against arch-rivals Argentina.
This potential return for Jesus may come as a surprise to Arsenal, as manager Mikel Arteta had previously stated at the beginning of the month that the former Manchester City forward would be unavailable for at least a few weeks due to a hamstring issue.
Arsenal will be hoping that Jesus experiences no ill-effects from a potential outing for the Selecao, especially considering the hectic run of fixtures scheduled for the end of November and December. The Gunners will be looking to have Jesus back in top form as they navigate a challenging period in the Premier League.