BRAZIL SERBIA BBC THIAGO SILVA reckons the gift of the Gab can help fire five-time winners Brazil to fresh World Cup glory.

EXCLUSIVE BY DAVID MCDONNELL in Doha

Brazil’s last World Cup win came 20 years ago, but the Chelsea defender believes the nation’s Arsenal connection can help them end that long wait.

Silva has identified Gunners duo Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli as two players who can play a key role in Brazil’s quest to rule the world again.

While Martinelli is making his World Cup debut, for Jesus it will be his second appearance – his first four years ago one to forget after failing to score in any of Brazil’s five games.

But Silva is convinced both can bring their impressive club form this season to the international stage and inspire the Samba Boys to go all the way in Doha.

“You can see the connection they’ve had this season with Arsenal - it’s a big reason why they’re top of the Premier League,” said Silva.

“Jesus, we’ve known about his quality for a long time, but Martinelli is really showing what he’s about.

“He’s playing without fear and, if he gets the chance to play, I don’t think it will faze him and he’ll just do what we know he can do.

“I think all attacking players at the top level need that little bit of arrogance – that they know they can do something special – and he has that.”

One player under familiar scrutiny is Brazil forward Neymar, who will lead his country’s attack against a backdrop of huge personal expectation.

Neymar (right), whose previous two World Cups have ended in frustration, claimed this could be his last appearance, with Silva insisting the 30-year-old can handle the pressure of fans (such as one, below, dressed as Brazil legend Ronaldo).

“If it is his last World Cup, then we have to do everything to win for him,” said Silva.

“Every player who represents Brazil at the World Cup has pressure on them, but, for Neymar, that pressure has always been different. Since he was a teenager, he has had the hopes of a nation on him, that’s some expectation.

“He’s always handled that well, though – look at what he’s done on the pitch. He’s a special player and person.”

Brazil’s status as tournament favourites has been strengthened following

Argentina’s shock 2-1 defeat to Saudi Arabia in their opening game.

And Brazil open their

Group G campaign against Serbia tonight in the same Lusail Iconic

Stadium where the Saudis triumphed.

But Silva (below) played down talk of Brazil coach

Tite’s side being the one to beat, admitting they will come unstuck if they look too far ahead.

“The target for Brazil is the same as always and that is to win the World

Cup,” said Silva. “But you do that by taking things one game at a time.

“I don’t want to talk about favourites or who we could play in the final, because we’re not there yet.

“At this level, the smallest lapse in concentration can cost you everything.

That’s why at the moment the focus is just on the game against

Serbia and nothing else.

“This is my fourth World Cup and it does feel different. Normally there’s preparation, but just two days after Chelsea played Newcastle, I was training with the Brazil team.

“We now have a World Cup for a month – and then, two days after Christmas, I will be playing with Chelsea again.

“There’s never been a season like it – but it doesn’t make our desire to win

any less.”