‘Mystifying’: BBC journalist worried Arsenal star may not get picked to start at the World Cup now

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South American football expert Tim Vickery has delivered his verdict on Arsenal’s Brazilian stars.

Speaking to Off The Ball, Vickery has said that striker Gabriel Jesus might not start for Brazil at the World Cup.

Jesus has had a fantastic start to life at The Emirates, and has already been impressing his new teammates.

Arsenal’s new number nine is already averaging a goal contribution every game since arriving.

The Brazilian has formed a menacing partnership with Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli in attack.

Gabriel Jesus’ Brazilian teammate Martinelli also missed out on the latest squad, and Vickery is unsure he’ll even make the squad.

Jesus might not start at the World Cup

Jesus is just 25 years old, but has already won more than 50 Brazil caps.

Only Neymar has scored more than Jesus’ 19 international goals out of Tite’s current squad.

It’s likely that Brazil’s coach is looking at some fringe options this month ahead of his final squad selection.

However, Jesus not being involved at all against Ghana or Tunisia means he might not start at the World Cup in Qatar.

“Gabriel Jesus (missing out) is mystifying.” Vickery said.

“I’m trying to get inside the head of the coach, and trying to understand it.

“I suspect that he’ll go to the World Cup, but that he’s not going to be in the starting eleven.”

Jesus’ versatility makes him a great option for Brazil going into this World Cup.

His time spent playing out wide at Manchester City, combined with his form as a more traditional centre-forward at Arsenal, should be enough for him to receive a call-up.

He needs to go into the World Cup in the form of his life to stand a chance of starting ahead of the likes of Neymar.