The Arsenal trio of Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli, and Gabriel Magalhaes have been passed over by Brazil coach Tite ahead of their World Cup friendly warm-up matches.
Arsenal’s strong start to the season, which has propelled them to the top of the Premier League after six games, has been largely attributed to these three players.
However, they won’t be involved in any way in Brazil’s September pre-World Cup games against Ghana and Tunisia.
In place of Jesus, Tite has chosen Flamengo striker Pedro, who leads the Copa Libertadores scoring race with 12 goals, as a new attacking option for Brazil.
Brazil will also test out two new defenders who have been called up for the first time: Juventus’ Gleison Bremer and Roma’s Roger Ibaez.
In addition to Martinelli, who has three goals this season, the other noticeable absentees from the Brazilian team for their final friendlies before the final World Cup roster is revealed are defender Dani Alves and midfielder Philippe Coutinho.
Alisson, Fabinho, and Roberto Firmino of Liverpool, as well as Casemiro and Fred of Manchester United’s midfield, have all been chosen. There are also spots for West Ham’s club-record acquisition Lucas Paquet and United’s £85 million acquisitions Antony.
Richarlison of Tottenham, Bruno Guimares of Newcastle, and Thiago Silva, a center-back for Chelsea, are all on the list.
Along with Serbia, Switzerland, and Cameroon, Brazil is a member of Group G for the World Cup, which gets underway in November in Qatar.
What Players Were Invited By Brazil?
Here are the players that were invited for the warm-up match by Brazil, which excludes Arsenal Trio despite their massive form in the 2022/23 Premier League season:
- Goalkeepers: Alisson (Liverpool), Ederson (Manchester City), Weverton (Palmeiras)
- Defenders: Danilo, Alex Sandro, Gleison Bremer (all Juventus), Alex Telles (Sevilla), Thiago Silva (Chelsea), Eder Militao (Real Madrid), Marquinhos (Paris Saint-Germain), Roger Ibaez (Roma)
- Midfielders: Casemiro, Fred (both Manchester United), Fabinho (Liverpool), Lucas Paquet (West Ham), Bruno Guimares (Newcastle), Everton Ribeiro (Flamengo)
- Forwards: Neymar (Paris Saint-Germain), Richarlison (Tottenham), Roberto Firmino (Liverpool), Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo (both Real Madrid), Antony (Manchester United), Raphinha (Barcelona), Matheus Cunha (Atletico Madrid), Pedro (Flamengo).
Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli, and Gabriel Magalhaes
Due to the fact that none of his Brazilian players have been selected for the friendlies against Ghana and Tunisia, Mikel Arteta will have the chance to give them time to rest and recover during this month’s international break.
There will be 11 players from Premier League clubs in Tite’s side for the games in France, although there will be none from early leaders Arsenal.
Despite his great play for his new team after joining for £45 million from Manchester City, Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli, or Gabriel Magalhaes have not received a call-up.
Although Arteta would be happy to give his players a break during what is expected to be a busy campaign, he will not want them to experience the disappointment of missing the World Cup.
Jesus and Magalhaes are still anticipated to be a part of Tite’s World Cup roster if healthy.
Because of the stiff competition in his position, Martinelli’s exclusion is not viewed as a particularly positive development for his World Cup prospects. Aston Villa’s Philippe Coutinho is also left out.
On September 23, Brazil will play Ghana at Le Havre, and four days later, Tunisia will play Brazil at the Parc de Princes in Paris. They have one more match left before the World Cup in Qatar.
