Arsenal: Arteta breaks silence on Jesus injury amid pressure from Brazil

The striker has been called up for international duty despite Arsenal’s claim that he’s injured.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta believes Gabriel Jesus is not fit enough to play for Brazil during the upcoming international break.

Jesus picked up a hamstring injury during Arsenal’s victory over Sevilla in the Champions League in late October. Since then, the Brazil international has stayed out of action for the Gunners.

The Selecao have, nonetheless, called Jesus out for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Colombia and Argentina.

Speaking on ESPN, Arteta said of the striker’s injury: “I’m going to talk to the doctors and him [Jesus] because he didn’t do any training with us.

“He’s far from working with the team. But it’s an internal communication between the club and the national team. The first intention is always to seek the best for the player.”

Earlier this week, Brazil manager Fernando Diniz revealed his desire to have Jesus examined by the national team’s doctor.

“We’re going to bring Gabriel [Jesus] in to find out his real condition, because we still have 15 days to go until the games,” the manager said.

“We believe he could be fit enough to play, because I like him a lot.”