Gabriel Jesus
An injury to Bukayo Saka ahead of a busy festive fixture list cast a shadow over Arsenal's 5-1 victory romp at Crystal Palace on Saturday but if manager Mikel Arteta was worried about that, at least Gabriel Jesus's form offered some comfort.
Gabriel Jesus expects "another war" with Crystal Palace at the weekend, after the Arsenal forward led the charge with a second-half hat-trick in a 3-2 comeback win to reach the League Cup semi-finals on Wednesday.
Jesus missed much of the second half of last season after he underwent surgery on his right knee in December following an injury he sustained while playing for the national team at the Qatar World Cup.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta backed Gabriel Jesus to rediscover his scoring touch soon, after the striker failed to find the net in a 1-0 Europa League win over FC Zurich on Thursday, extending his recent goal drought to eight games.
It is the only change made by coach Tite from the group stage win over Serbia, meaning Gabriel Jesus, Willian and Philippe Coutinho support Neymar in attack.
Brazil scored three goals to beat feisty Austria 3-0 in sweltering conditions on Sunday to put the finishing touches to their impressive WC preparations.
Brazil edged past world champions Germany 1-0 in their international friendly on Tuesday to snap their opponents' 22-match unbeaten run.
Gabriel Jesus fell injured in the duel against Crystal Palace and left the stadium in tears.
