GABRIEL JESUS has flown out to Brazil for international duty – despite Arsenal’s growing concerns over his fitness.
The Gunners striker has not played since hobbling off with a hamstring injury in a Champions League victory over Sevilla back on October 24.
SunSport reported that Jesus’ representatives did not expect him to return before the start of December with Mikel Arteta hesitant to rush his main man back.
However, after being named as a surprise inclusion in Brazil’s squad, it is understood Jesus will now be assessed by doctors in South America to see if he can be hurried back.
The Samba Boys face Colombia on November 17 before taking on reigning world champions Argentina on November 22 – with injury woes of their own in Neymar and Richarlison.
Under FIFA rules, Brazil are entitled to call up Jesus and assess him themselves. There is hope that he can play some part in one or both of those World Cup qualifiers.
Yet Arsenal medics and Arteta informed Brazil they would rather Jesus continue his rehabilitation in North London with a hectic festive schedule on the horizon.
Arsenal were hoping sporting director Edu – a former general coordinator of the Brazil national team – could influence the decision but little ground was made.
When naming the squad, Brazil boss Fernando Diniz hinted the call-up comes after a similar case involving Arsenal winger Gabriel Martinelli ahead of the last international break.
Martinelli was not selected for the squad in October because of a hamstring injury, but days later came off the bench to score the winner against Manchester City in the Premier League.
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Diniz explained: “Because of this, we are going to bring Gabriel [Jesus] to find out the real conditions, because we still have 15 days until the games. We believe he is able to play.”
Arsenal have three Premier League games in the space of a week to kick-off December, before crucial games against Brighton and title rivals Liverpool.
Jesus has started just four league games so far having also missed the start of the campaign with a knee issue.
Arteta is hopeful several of his big names can shake off knocks after this international break, including skipper Martin Odegaard, Ben White, Eddie Nketiah, Emile Smith-Rowe and Thomas Partey.
