Arsenal blow as Jesus could be ruled out for three months
Brazil coach attacks ‘evil lies’ that striker had played unfit Neymar could return today after suffering ankle strain
Arsenal are sweating over the seriousness of Gabriel Jesus’s knee problem after Brazil manager Tite hit out at “evil lies” that he knew the striker was injured before he played against Cameroon.
Reports in Brazil suggested Jesus may miss up to three months of action, but Tite expressed anger over “haters” suggesting he had taken a risk with the player’s fitness.
Jesus picked up the injury in Brazil’s shock 1-0 defeat by Cameroon on Friday and had a scan on Saturday morning. “We do not like hearing lies, evil lies,” Tite said in response to speculation that Jesus had complained of having pain in his right knee ahead of that match. “We have no time for it.”
Arsenal are in contact with the Brazil medical team and club sources have insisted it remains too early to make any definitive assessments on the extent of the striker’s injury.
Tite had also visited Arsenal before the World Cup and “at no point was anything mentioned” about Jesus having an injury, the Brazil coaching staff explained.
“The liars, the haters out there – they should go and do something else,” Tite added. “They must stop giving out this fake news. Arsenal have a great medical department. We have a great medical department. We are responsible people and we take great responsibility with the health of our players. We never, ever take risks.”
Jesus is the fifth injury worry in the Brazil squad at this tournament, but Neymar, who sprained an ankle in their opening game against Serbia, is now hopeful of starting against South Korea today.
Neymar suffered the injury in Brazil’s 2-0 win over Serbia, which ruled him out of their 1-0 victory over Switzerland and the defeat by Cameroon. But Tite told a news conference ahead of their last-16 match: “Neymar will train today in the afternoon and if he trains well he will play.”
Neymar has suffered many issues with his right foot and underwent surgery four years ago for a fractured metatarsal. The news of his return to the starting line-up came after defender Thiago Silva was asked if Neymar would play and Tite took hold of the microphone and said: “Yes”.
It will be warmly welcomed in a squad beset by concerns, with right-back Danilo also hurting an ankle against Serbia and left-back Alex Sandro suffering a hip injury against the Swiss.
Defender Alex Telles and Jesus were ruled out for the rest of the tournament on Saturday. Tite said Danilo is fit to return against South Korea, but Sandro is out.
Tite stressed that Neymar’s return was with the full backing of the team’s medical staff and the player’s physical health was the priority.
“If he plays, it’s because he is in full health and ready to start, to play from the beginning and the entire game with no limitations,” Tite said. “My preference is always to play my best players from the start.”
A lengthy spell on the sidelines for Jesus, meanwhile, would be a huge blow to Arsenal and their hopes of challenging Manchester City in the Premier League title race.
Mikel Arteta’s side are five points clear at the top of the table, with Jesus having had a transformative effect on the team since his arrival from City in the summer.
Jesus has started all 14 of Arsenal’s league matches so far and, although he has not been prolific in front of goal, his creativity and pressing has allowed his teammates to thrive.
Arsenal try to plan their transfer
business well in advance of windows opening, and had prioritised a move for a winger next month. A central midfielder is also on the agenda.
It remains to be seen whether the injury to Jesus will force Edu, the club’s technical director, to rethink his transfer plans. Without Jesus, Eddie Nketiah is the only recognised centre-forward in Arteta’s first-team squad.