Arsenal are facing big ‘worry’ ahead of crucial Manchester City clash over key decision

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Arsenal are set to have a 19-day break between their clash with Porto and their trip to face Manchester City later this month.

This comes after a home game against Chelsea was postponed as a result of their progression in the FA Cup.

Whilst a positive is that Mikel Arteta could welcome back his injured stars and head into the final stages of the season with a near fully-fit squad, the lack of match practice, and an International break just before a trip to the Etihad may not be ideal.

The International break provides another issue for Arsenal, as several of their stars are expected to be called up for their National Teams ahead of a potential title-turning game against Man City.

Arsenal face Brazil problem in International break

The Brazil National Team are set to compete in friendlies away against England and Spain in the upcoming break, and the Arsenal trio of Gabriel Magalhaes, Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus are expected to be called up.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, journalist Charles Watts explained why Jesus in particular, is a big worry during the break.

“We couldn’t stop him joining last time when he was out for about six weeks with a hamstring injury, and Brazil flew him over to South America and played him against Argentina, so we won’t be able to stop him now,” Watts stated of Jesus participating in Brazil’s matches.

“If he’s fully fit, which he is, even though they are managing this injury, and he’s going to play against Sheffield United which I expect him to on Monday night, they can’t stop him going.

“You have to keep your fingers crossed that nothing happens to him, and he’s got two big games with Brazil.

“I think they’ve got England and then they got Spain, and that prospect of Brazil against Spain immediately before Arsenal face Manchester City, with Rodri potentially kicking lumps out of the Arsenal players in the Brazilian team for Spain, does worry me quite a lot.”

Brazil need to be careful with Gabriel Jesus

Jesus has been struggling with a knee injury, after initially picking up a long-term problem during the World Cup last year.

When he was injured earlier this season, Brazil called him up to play in CONMEBOL qualifiers against Colombia and Argentina, much to Arsenal’s frustration, and the striker has struggled for fitness since.

Arsenal will need the 26-year-old back to full fitness for the final stages of their Premier League and Champions League campaigns, and should he pick up an injury in a friendly match just before potentially the biggest game of the season, they will be rightfully aggrieved with the Brazilian staff for allowing him to play.