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Arsenal’s Brazilian contingent not selected for September friendlies
By Adam Schultz
Three of Arsenal’s Brazilian contingent have not been included in the squad for their nation’s upcoming friendly games against Ghana and Tunisia in what is welcome news for the Gunners.
In the next couple of weeks, international football will again take centre stage with friendlies being played all over the globe. But for three of Arsenal’s Brazilians; Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel, and Gabriel Martinelli, they’ll enjoy a prolonged resting period.
While no doubt all three will be disappointed, they could likely hear Mikel Arteta celebrating the news. With so many fixtures coming thick and fast between now and the World Cup in a couple of months, Arsenal will want their best players to play as little as possible.
Arsenal’s Brazilian contingent not selected for September friendlies
Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Magalhães have all not been called up to the Brazil squad for their upcoming friendlies. 🇧🇷❌ pic.twitter.com/zVVxrgdpp8
— AFCnewsroom (@TheAFCnewsroom) September 9, 2022
If only Ghana had got the memo with Thomas Partey, eh?
Not being in the national team for the three Brazilians gives them time to rest their legs ahead of the North London Derby at the start of October. The schedule will become even more condensed with Arsenal’s game against Everton postponed due to the Queen’s sad passing.
We saw the rotation in Arsenal’s Europa League game as several stars were left out, but Gabriel Martinelli started and played most of the game. With the winger starting the season in fine form, playing more games with Brazil would affect his fitness long-term.
Similarly to Bukayo Saka, Arsenal must be weary of overplaying Jesus, Martinelli, and Gabriel. All three are crucial to the Gunners’ success this season as they chase a Champions League spot.
None of Arsenal's Gabriel's were called up to Brazil's most recent squad 🤔🇧🇷 pic.twitter.com/sXuNyOn2j4
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) September 10, 2022
The last thing the club would want is for those players to play in what many are calling meaningless friendlies. Remember that all three will likely be involved in the World Cup squad too.
By not being selected, the club has dodged a potential bullet as Jesus is central to everything Arsenal does well, Martinelli provides the energy and pressing Arteta loves, and Gabriel has formed a supreme partnership with William Saliba in the heart of the defence.
The players are likely disappointed not to be representing their nation; for the Gunners, it is welcome news as all three are too crucial for the club to lose.