Gabriel Jesus is expected to start for Brazil against Argentina on Wednesday despite nearly a month on the sidelines with a hamstring injury.
Jesus was named in Fernando Diniz’s squad for November’s internationals despite not playing for Arsenal since October 24, when he suffered a hamstring injury against Sevilla that has kept him on the sidelines ever since.
Reports in Brazil state that Arsenal officials, including sporting director Edu, have been in contact with their Brazilian counterparts to plead with them to let Jesus rest, but those cries appear to have fallen on deaf ears as Globo state Jesus is in line to start on Wednesday.
Jesus was left out of the squad that lost 2-1 to Colombia in the early hours of Friday morning but Vinicius Junior’s injury has left a hole in the team’s attack which Diniz hopes to fill with Jesus.
The Arsenal striker was involved in full team training on Saturday, lining up alongside the rest of Diniz’s starting strikers, and is now expected to start Wednesday’s crunch clash against fierce rivals Argentina.
Diniz recently insisted he took a calculated “risk” in calling up Jesus, whose fitness has been closely monitored.
“I trust the player and him being here,” the Brazil boss said. “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.”
