Jesus is outperforming his Arsenal rivals as he battles for Brazil return

Gabriel Jesus is super-efficient for Arsenal and now hopes that a glorious end to the Gunners’ season will boost his hopes of making it to the World Cup with Brazil

Gabriel Jesus has set his sights on winning back his place in Brazil’s World Cup squad. It would be a remarkable comeback for the Arsenal striker whose last appearance for Brazil came in November 2023.

That was the last of his 64 caps but his desire to force his way back ahead of this summer is also good news for Arsenal as he will be pushing for a return to his best form.

Jesus, 28, missed nearly a year after suffering an ACL injury in January 2025 but he came back into the Arsenal first team in December and is now looking to push on again.

And his remarkable goal return shows that he is still very much a force to be reckoned with. Jesus has played 18 games, six as a starter and has scored five goals and provided two assists during his 675 minutes on the pitch.

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That means he has been involved in a goal every 96 minutes which is better than any of his teammates and also shows that he remains a very efficient No9. Brazil boss Carlo Ancelotti is blessed with world class forwards in Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo but the central striker still looks open.

Chelsea star Joao Pedro and Tottenham’s Richarlison are in the mix but the notion that Brazil could pick a player struggling at Spurs talks to them looking for someone to nail down that role.

Jesus has vast experience, quality and a winning mentality and still firmly believes that he can force his way back into the set-up.

His contract expires in the summer of 2027 but is also known as being a positive influence throughout the dressing room for both club and country. That is why Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta insisted in January there was no chance he was leaving the club before the summer.

Jesus has also been in impressive form in big games, scoring twice and being voted man of the match against Inter Milan last month. Some of his best performances have come in the Champions League throughout his career where he has also been prolific.

But his stats are way above Arsenal’s array of other forwards which will give him hope that he can make it. Jesus is also feeling fit and sharp and ready for the challenge of Arsenal’s run-in for titles and it is that mentality which could give an edge for Brazil.

Brazil’s last title was in July 2019 when he scored, provided an assist and also got sent off. But Jesus was key at the last World Cup before injury curtailed his campaign and his last appearance now dates back nearly three years.

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