Brazil’s star striker Gabriel Jesus sustained a knee injury that will keep him out of the World Cup, and Arsenal is in discussions with Brazil about his early release.
The 25-year-old started last night’s match against Cameroon, his first of the competition, but was taken off in the 64th minute after failing to end his 14-game goalless streak.
After the game, Jesus is believed to have complained of right knee pain and had scans done on Saturday morning.
The results of those tests revealed that Jesus had sustained an injury that would prevent him from playing in the rest of the World Cup, and the early signs indicate he might miss at least one of Arsenal’s games over the holiday season.
On Boxing Day, Mikel Arteta’s Premier League leaders face West Ham, and they will dread having to play without their star £45 million summer acquisition, who has had such a reviving effect on both the forward line and the club as a whole.
To undergo additional testing, Jesus is expected to stay with the Brazil team, but newly promoted sporting director at Arsenal Edu has already spoken to Juninho, a fellow countryman, to arrange for the striker’s early return to north London.
According to a statement from the Brazilian FA, players Alex Telles and Gabriel Jesus underwent tests on Saturday morning as they had previously been announced following the match against Cameroon.
They underwent an MRI on the right knee, which confirmed the injuries and the impossibility of recovery in time to compete in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, accompanied by Rodrigo Lasmar, the medical director of the Brazilian National Team.
To decide whether Alex Telles and Gabriel Jesus stay with the team in Doha to continue their treatment or return to their clubs, the Brazilian National Team coordinator, the Sevilla, and Arsenal sports directors can be reached by Juninho Paulista.
