Gabriel Jesus injury: Brazil boss Tite hits back, specialist visit, Arsenal action in doubt

Gabriel Jesus is set for a spell on the sidelines after seeing his World Cup dream ended.

Jesus has been competing with Brazil in Qatar, and Tite’s men have big hopes of winning the whole thing this winter, but if they do, it won’t be with Arsenal frontman Jesus on the pitch. The striker started Brazil’s defeat to Cameroon over the weekend and had to come off just past the hour mark with a knee injury.

He now looks set for a spell on the sidelines, ending his World Cup, and putting his participation for Arsenal over the festive period in doubt. Here we round up what we know so far.

How did the injury come about?

Jesus had only played as a substitute in Brazil’s first two group stage game, but he was handed a start for their final game, with top spot all-but wrapped up.

He came off just past the hour mark with pain in his knee, and it seems the injury is a reoccuring one that caused him problems going into the tournament. It has since been decided that the injury has now got to the point where Jesus can no longer play through it, requiring treatment.

Latest reports

According to the Evening Standard, with his World Cup now over, Jesus has flown back to London, and he is set to see a knee specialist to get to the bottom of the injury.

It’s claimed the recovery period is uncertain at this point, but there will be no more World Cup action for the Arsenal star. It’s now about how much club action the frontman will miss, and the Gunners will be hoping it’s not too long at all. Then again, Jesus and Arsenal would prefer to allow enough time for a full recover now, when there is a break than return and break down in the thick of a busy second half of the season.

What has Tite said?

Brazil boss Tite has told El Globo: “Gabriel Jesus already had pain at the site in matches for Arsenal. The recovery period is not long – estimated at up to a month – but enough to prevent participation in the rest of the matches of the World Cup in Qatar.

“At no time whatsoever do we play for victory at the risk or peril of a player. So the liar who is out there, because that is what we call them, that’s the name? The haters who keep giving hate, go and do something else and stop giving fake news.

“Arsenal has a great medical department, we have a great medical department and we are responsible. We are personally responsible and ethical and it would never have happened. I didn’t want this to happen. It is a shame.”

The games Jesus could miss

It’s not yet clear exactly how much action Jesus will miss, but if he is out for a month, he will miss the Boxing Day clash with West Ham, the New Year’s Eve clash with Brighton and likely the January 3 fixture with Newcastle United.

Arsenal then play Oxford United in the FA Cup before the North London Derby, so Jesus could be allowed to sit out until that derby clash on January 15.