- Jesus to miss rest of World Cup
- Persistent knee issue has worsened
- Likely to miss Arsenal return to Premier League action
WHAT HAPPENED? Jesus has been ruled out for up to a month with a persistent knee injury that he aggravated in Brazil's 1-0 group stage defeat to Cameroon on Friday, GOAL can confirm. He was substituted in the 64th minute and could be seen being consoled by Neymar at the end of the game. Brazil are awaiting further test results to determine the nature of the injury and the exact timeframe for his recovery.
THE BIGGER PICTURE: The injury will not just rule Jesus out of the remainder of Brazil's World Cup campaign, but several games when the Arsenal return to domestic action. If Brazil were to reach the World Cup final, Jesus would miss up to eight games. Providing he doesn't have any setbacks, his return could come against Tottenham in the north London derby on January 15.
| Game | Date |
|---|---|
| Brazil vs South Korea (World Cup round of 16) | December 5 2022 |
| World Cup quarter-final | December 9 2022 |
| World Cup semi-final | December 13 2022 |
| World Cup final | December 18 2022 |
| Arsenal vs West Ham | December 26 2022 |
| Brighton vs Arsenal | December 31 2022 |
| Arsenal vs Newcastle | January 3 2023 |
| Oxford Utd vs Arsenal | January 9 2023 |
AND WHAT'S MORE: Jesus has been in good form for Arsenal this season. He's scored five goals and assisted six in the Premier League and has played a part in all three of Brazil's World Cup games so far. Brazil are already sweating on Neymar's fitness ahead of facing South Korea in the last 16, with their talisman still recovering from an ankle injury sustained on matchday one.
IN TWO PHOTOS:
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GettyWHAT NEXT FOR JESUS? Jesus will remain with the Brazil squad for the time being, with Arsenal in close contact with both the player and his national team physios.