Jesus has not played since 24 October (Picture: Getty)
Gabriel Jesus is expected to start for Brazil against Argentina next week despite Arsenal’s concerns over their striker’s fitness.
Jesus has missed Arsenal’s last five games after suffering a hamstring injury in the Champions League victory away to Sevilla in October.
The former Manchester City star was called into the Brazil squad for World Cup qualifiers against Colombia and Argentina but did not make the trip to Barranquilla for that first game last week, remaining in Brazil to undergo further assessment.
Jesus’ Arsenal teammate Gabriel Martinelli opened the scoring for Brazil on Thursday night but suffered defeat on the road with Luis Diaz scoring twice for Colombia.
Jesus was back in training on Saturday with Globo Esporte reporting he is likely to be named in Diniz’s starting XI for the showdown with Argentina in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
Brazil boss Diniz defended his decision to pick Gabriel this week, insisting he is confident the striker is ready to play.
‘About Gabriel, my whole life’s work is not a concern in this sense with Arsenal or the national team,’ he said. ‘My concern is Gabriel. We brought him here for some reasons and that it was important to him.
Jesus was left out of the squad that travelled to Colombia midweek (Picture: Getty)
‘I talked to Gabriel and he didn’t come here without planning.
‘He said he’s feeling good, he’s already doing certain things, and when I spoke to him we had two more weeks, 10 days at least till the first game [against Colombia] and 15 days ’til the second one [against Argentina].
‘He is in good condition, we are doing things with great care. As soon as he arrived we made a new MRI we [are] treating him very carefully.’
Brazil’s attacking options were dealt a major blow last week with Vinicius Jr forced off with a thigh injury in the defeat in Colombia. The Real Madrid star is expected to be sidelined for 10 weeks.
Brazil have won just two of their opening five matches in qualifying for the 2026 WOrld Cup and currently sit fifth.
Arsenal resume their league campaign away to Brentford on Saturday 25 November.
MORE : Ivan Toney ‘torn’ after Chelsea and Arsenal transfer approaches
MORE : Germany boss Julian Nagelsmann explains decision to play Arsenal’s Kai Havertz at LEFT-BACK
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Mikel Arteta won’t be happy…