Arsenal are in talks with Brazil over Gabriel Jesus’ early release from the World Cup after their star striker suffered a tournament ending knee injury.
The 25-year-old started his first match of the competition against Cameroon last night but was substituted in the 64th minute having failed to ended his 14-game wait for a goal.
After the match, Jesus is understood to have complained of having felt a pain in his right knee and underwent scans on Saturday morning.
The results of those tests confirmed Jesus had suffered an injury that would rule him out of the remainder of World Cup and the early indications suggest he could miss at least one of Arsenal’s matches over the Christmas period.
Mikel Arteta’s Premier League leaders are back in action against West Ham on Boxing Day and will be loathe to be without the services of their headline £45million summer signing who has had such a galvanising impact on Arsenal’s forward line and the club as a whole.
According to ESPN, Jesus is expected to remain with the Brazil squad to undergo further tests but Arsenal’s newly promoted sporting director Edu is already in touch with his compatriot Juninho hoping to negotiate the striker’s early return to north London.
A statement from the Brazilian FA read: ‘As announced by the Brazilian FA after the game against Cameroon, players Alex Telles and Gabriel Jesus underwent tests on Saturday morning.
‘Accompanied by the Brazilian National Team doctor, Rodrigo Lasmar, they underwent an MRI on the right knee that confirmed the injuries and the impossibility of recovery in time to participate in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.
‘The coordinator of the Brazilian National Team, Juninho Paulista, is in contact with the sports directors of Arsenal and Sevilla to define whether Alex Telles and Gabriel Jesus remain with the squad in Doha to continue the treatment or return to their clubs.’
Brazil, meanwhile, are also sweating on the fitness of star forward who hasn’t featured since suffering an ankle injury against Serbia in their opening group game.
Head coach Tite had hoped that the PSG superstar would return in time for the knockout stages but hopes of Neymar featuring against South Korea on Monday appear increasingly remote.
Following the game against Cameroon, team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar provided an update on the condition of Neymar and left-back Alex Sandro.
‘Regarding Neymar and Alex Sandro, we think we have time on our hands and there is a possibility,’ Lasmar told reporters.
‘Let’s wait what their transition will be – they have still not started to train with the ball and it’s something they will do tomorrow.
‘It will be important to see how they respond to this new style, so depending on that, we will make a call.’
MORE : Arsenal legend Paul Merson explains why England captain Harry Kane should have dropped himself at the World Cup
MORE : Chelsea winger Christian Pulisic urged to avoid Arsenal transfer and join Man Utd after the World Cup
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on
Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Share your story or advertise with us: Whatsapp: +2347068606071 Email: info@newspotng.com
