In-form Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus has broken his silence about being left out of the Brazil squad for their World Cup warm-up games this month.
The former Manchester City man looked odds on to get a place in Tite’s latest Brazil national team squad. But the 61-year-0ld has overlooked Jesus despite his brilliant form for the Gunners.
Jesus took his goal tally to four after scoring in the weekend’s win over Brentford. He also has three assists in his first seven games since making the is £45m switch to north London.
Jesus was a menace all afternoon to Brentford and Sky Sports gave him the man-of-the-match award. But the Arsenal man was left out by Tite earlier this month, despite being included in the party in June.
Jesus scored from the bench against South Korea and appeared as a sub against Japan earlier this summer. But Tite has gone with the likes of Roberto Firmino, Richarlison, Raphinha and Antony instead to face Ghana and Tunisia.
In fact non of Arsenal’s Brazilian trio of Gabriels – Jesus, Gabriel Magalhaes and Gabriel Martinelli have been included.
“I respect the coach’s decision a lot, I respect Tite, the entire staff, the entire commission. As I said, I’m Brazilian, I’ll always root for the team. And I also respect the other players, who have a lot of quality. I’ll keep doing my best to have the opportunity again,” he told ESPN Brazil.
Jesus suspension nears
“What’s in my control is my performance. I’ll always try to do my best, finish the plays. Today I had some chances that I could also improve a little more, I know. I’ve been training, trying to do my best,” he said on Sunday.
He also confirmed he has spoken to the coaching staff of the Brazilian team after failing to make the squad.
“There was (contact), post-call, yes,” said the Arsenal man.
Jesus, who has been capped 56 times by Brazil, scoring 19 goals, will now focus on Arsenal and the north London derby.
Arsenal host Tottenham at The Emirates on October 1.
Jesus is expected to start for Mikel Arteta’s men, although he is nearing a suspension. He picked up his fourth booking of the campaign on Sunday, meaning he’s now just one away from an automatic one-game suspension.
Should be find his way into the referee’s notebook against Spurs, Jesus will be suspended for the visit of Liverpool on October 9.
