Gabriel Jesus is a very talented player at Arsenal and will be hoping that a successful end to the Gunners’ season will further boost his hopes of representing Brazil at the World Cup.
Gabriel Jesus has been in great form since returning from injury (Image: Stefano RELLANDINI / AFP via Getty Images)
Gabriel Jesus is aiming to regain his place in the Brazil World Cup squad. It would be a remarkable return for the Arsenal striker, who made his last appearance for Brazil in November 2023.
This was the last of his 64 caps, but his desire to force a return this summer is good news for Arsenal as they aim to return to their best form.
Jesus, 28, was sidelined for nearly a year after sustaining an anterior cruciate ligament injury in January 2025, but returned to Arsenal’s first team in December and is now looking to move forward again.
And his incredible goal return shows he’s still a force to be reckoned with. Jesus has played in 18 games, six of them as a starter, and has scored five goals and provided two assists in 675 minutes on the pitch.
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This means he is involved in a goal every 96 minutes, which is better than any of his team-mates and shows he is still a very capable number nine. Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti has world-class forwards in Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo, but there is still room for a central striker.
Chelsea star Joao Pedro and Tottenham’s Richarlison are among the options, but Brazil are said to be looking for someone who can definitely fill the role, with the idea that they could select a player who is struggling at Spurs.
Jesus has a wealth of experience, quality and a winning mentality, and I strongly believe he can still force his way back into the set-up.
Jesus wants to qualify for the World Cup with Brazil
His contract expires in the summer of 2027, but he is also known for his positive influence throughout the dressing rooms at both club and country. That’s why Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta insisted in January that there was no chance of him leaving the club before the summer.
Jesus has continued to perform well in big games, scoring twice against Inter Milan last month and was named man of the match. Some of his best performances have come in the Champions League throughout his career, where he has been prolific as well.
arsenal forward stats
Gabriel Jesus
18 games (starting 6 games)
5 goals
2 assists
675 minutes
Involvement time per goal: 96
Noni Maduke
16 games (12 starting games)
5 goals
2 assists
863 minutes
Involvement time per goal: 107
Gabriel Martinelli
19 games (9 starting games)
8 goals
Assist 0
893 minutes
Time involved per goal: 113.3
Victor Gokeres
19 games (14 starting games)
9 goals
2 assists
1,124 minutes
Time involved per goal: 124.9
Bukayo Saka
17 games (11 starting games)
1 goal
4 assists
1,055 minutes
Involved time per goal: 229
Leandro Trossard
18 games (11 starting games)
1 goal
3 assists
1,092 minutes
Time taken to finish: 273
Kai Havertz
6 games (3 starting games)
2 goals
2 assists
223 minutes
*Minimum 10 games requirement not met*
Max Dauman
not involved in the goal
Statistics provided by FlashScore
However, his stats are far ahead of Arsenal’s other forwards, which should give him hope of success. Jesus is also fit, sharp and ready to take on Arsenal in the title race, and it is that mentality that could give Brazil an advantage.
Brazil last won the title in July 2019, when he scored, provided an assist and was sent off. However, Jesus was a key player in the last World Cup, but was out of action due to injury and last appeared nearly three years ago.
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