Arsenal fear Jesus could play against Argentina despite hamstring injury

Brazil are prepared to risk angering Arsenal over the fitness of their injured star striker Gabriel Jesus.

The Gunners are keeping close tabs on how Jesus is utilised whilst on international duty.

Mail Sport understands Gunners head coach Mikel Arteta and club medics were concerned Jesus had not made the progress they’d hoped in his recovery from a hamstring strain suffered in the win at Sevilla on October 24. Jesus has not played for Arsenal since that Champions League win.

Arsenal preferred Jesus to stay in London to continue his rehabilitation but Brazil boss Fernando Diniz selected him for their crunch World Cup qualifiers with Colombia this week and Argentina.

Brazil, despite the fact Jesus appeared to be injured, wanted to examine the forward’s fitness themselves before deciding whether he could be available.

If Jesus stays with Brazil for the duration of their camp, he would return to England less than 72 hours before Arsenal’s clash against Brentford on Saturday.

Arsenal technical director Edu and the club’s medical team are in constant dialogue with their Brazilian counterparts over Jesus' fitness.

Jesus was filmed limping by Brazilian media when he stepped off the plane on Sunday night but undertook a light training session on Wednesday as he continued his recovery.

Arsenal striker Jesus is not expected to travel to Colombia but Brazil are not ruling the forward out for next week’s clash against Argentina - a scenario that would likely upset the Gunners, who believe their forward’s fitness needs managing.

Diniz is adamant that it was Jesus’ decision to join up - and insists he is having expert medical care.

He said: ‘I trust the player and him being here. I talked to Gabriel and he didn’t come here without planning.

‘He