Gabriel Jesus: Brazilian striker misses rest of World Cup with knee injury and may be absent for Arsenal league matches | Football news

Gabriel Jesus will miss the rest of Brazil’s World Cup season with a knee injury and is in doubt for the Premier League restart with Arsenal later this month.

The striker suffered the injury during Friday’s 1-0 defeat to Cameroon and was sent off in the 64th minute.

Left back Alex Telles, who was injured in Brazil’s last match in Group G with a problem with his right knee, has also been ruled out of the tournament.

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. Under the supervision of Brazil’s national team doctor, Rodrigo Lasmar, they underwent an MRI on the right knee which confirmed the injuries and the impossibility of recovery in time to participate in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

Brazil national team coordinator Juninho Paulista is in contact with the sports directors of Arsenal and Sevilla to determine whether Alex Telles and Gabriel Jesus will remain with the squad in Doha to continue treatment or return to their clubs .”

Brazil is already sweating from the fitness of Neymar, who missed the last two games with an ankle problem.

The news is a problem for Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal, who will restart their Premier League campaign on Boxing Day when they host West Ham.

Jesus is the second Arsenal player to leave his World Cup squad early, as defender Ben White left England’s group in Qatar for “personal reasons”.

Analysis: Can Arsenal afford to lose Jesus to injury?

Jesus’ impact at Arsenal following his £45 million move from Manchester City is evident both on and off the pitch.

Many in the Arsenal squad have spoken of how the Brazilian striker and Zinchenko have brought a “winners’ mentality” from City this summer – while Jesus, as a striker, was The Gunners’ player for the big moment with five goals and six goals. assists in his first 14 games.

But if Jesus was going to miss games for Arsenal then it would fall to Eddie Nketiah to take the mantle up front. With five goals in seven league games at the end of last season, the 23-year-old showed he can start regularly for the Gunners, but has struggled to challenge Jesus for a starting spot since the summer.

Nketiah has scored three goals in seven non-Premier League games so he hasn’t lost his edge, but he has yet to find the net in 12 Premier League games from the bench.

While impressive Saturday night football cameo against Fulham in August – where he played alongside Jesus in a front two – demonstrated the England striker’s ability to influence games, the number 9 position is another area where Arsenal cannot afford to lose their top talent .

Brazil’s potential route to the World Cup final

Confirmed round of 16

Monday Nov 5
Brazil against South Korea – Start at 7 p.m

Possible quarterfinal

Friday December 9
Japan or Croatia against Brazil or South Korea – Start at 3 p.m

Possible semi-final

Tuesday December 13
Netherlands/US/Argentina/Australia against Japan/Croatia/Brazil/South Korea – Start at 7 p.m

Arsenal’s next matches

December 26 – Western Ham (H), Premier League – Kick-off 8pm

December 31 – Brighton (A), Premier League – kick off 5.30pm – live Sky Sports

January 3rd – Newcastle (H), Premier League, kick-off 7.45pm – live Sky Sports

January 9 – Oxford United (A), FA Cup third round, kick-off at 8 p.m

January 15 – Tottenham (A), Premier League, kick-off 4.30pm – live Sky Sports

January 22 – Manchester United (H), Premier League, kick-off 4.30pm – live Sky Sports