Mikel Arteta has backed Gabriel Jesus to make the Brazil World Cup squad and has explained how he manged to convince the forward to sign for Arsenal in the summer.

There is no denying that Gabriel Jesus’s arrival at Arsenal has sparked something in the side, but his recent omission from the Brazil squad set tongues wagging that his place at the World Cup is at risk.

There is quieter talk, however, that Tite knows Jesus so well he had no need to call him up during the most recent international break, and, instead, used it to have a closer look at some fringe players.

That doesn’t make good headlines, however.

Before Arsenal’s game against Spurs, which saw Jesus score again (he now has five goals and three assists in eight Premier League games for Arsenal), Arteta was asked about the Brazil situation.

“It’s about understanding how he is taking the news, how he is feeling and how we can help him,” Arteta said. “It’s about putting his head down and taking it on the chin.

“The only thing he can do is to try to keep playing at the level he’s been at – or better – and make it difficult for the national team to leave him out.”

Jesus also spoke to the press before the game, explaining why he decided to leave Manchester City to sign for Arsenal.

About that, Arteta also spoke. “It was a team effort to talk with him and introduce the project to him and what his role would be in the club,” said Arteta.

“The trust and connection we had with him already helped, and then it was up to him to decide. The immediate reaction was very positive and he made it very easy for us.”