Arsenal goes into their last Premier League fixture next weekend across London against Brentford with a chance to keep hold of their perch atop the table under Mikel Arteta in what has been a strong start from the Spaniard’s young squad.
Despite a 3-1 loss at Old Trafford against a revitalized Manchester United under Erik ten Hag, Arsenal still have been one of the main talking points this season after winning their first five matches on the bounce in 2022-23 and may now finally be prepared to seriously challenge for a top three finish if not for the league title itself.
Both Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Magalhães have been key performers in the opening weeks of the season under Arteta, with the former Manchester City forward starting the season like a house on fire and is joint-top scorer at the club – along with Martin Ødegaard and Gabriel Martinelli – with three goals to his name and looking like he has been at the club for years.
As for Magalhães, the final arrival of William Saliba has not deterred the center-back, and instead, the pair have formed a very credible partnership at the heart of the defense which looks to threaten the first-choice status of Ben White and residually Takehiro Tomiyasu.
But despite their contributions already this season, neither has been selected by Brazil manager Tite ahead of A Seleção’s pair of upcoming friendly fixtures against World Cup-bound African duo Ghana and Tunisia in Le Havre and Paris respectively.
Brazil coach Tite called up his last squad before the World Cup today. Central defenders Bremer (Juventus) and Roger Ibanez (Roma) are included, along with free-scoring Flamengo striker Pedro. Firmino and Antony are in. Gabriel Jesus, Philippe Coutinho and Dani Alves all out. pic.twitter.com/V3G0qru8IL
— Andrew Downie (@adowniebrazil) September 9, 2022
The likes of Matheus Cunha, Pedro, Antony, Bremer, and Roger Ibañez have all received the call from Tite with Jesus and Magalhães seemingly sacrificed and initially throwing into question their status among the Brazilian player pool as the 2022 World Cup in Qatar edges closer.
Impressões: Gabriel Magalhães vai ser o quarto zagueiro na Copa – Bremer e Ibañez foram chamados agora para eventualmente disputarem uma quinta vaga na defesa; o mesmo serve especialmente para Gabriel Jesus – só ficou fora agora para Tite “reavaliar” Antony e Roberto Firmino
— Bruno Andrade (@brunoandrd) September 9, 2022
“Impressions: Gabriel Magalhães will be the fourth defender in the Cup – Bremer, and Ibañez have now been called up to eventually fight for a fifth spot in defense; the same is especially true for Gabriel Jesus – he was only out now for Tite to “re-evaluate” Antony and Roberto Firmino.”
With Brazil drawn into arguably the group of death in Qatar alongside Serbia, Switzerland, and Cameroon in Group G and a difficult test against Dragan Stojković’s men to kick off their winter campaign at Lusail Iconic Stadium on 24 November, Tite will have to make sure he gets his squad selection spot on if one of the pre-tournament favorites is to better their quarter-final appearance from 2014 while looking to reach the final of the tournament for the first time in twenty years.
For Jesus and Magalhães, their continued influence at Arsenal under Arteta seemingly has not gone unnoticed, and should the Brazilian pair continue to perform as required by Arteta, their place on the plane should be comfortably guaranteed.
