Tite also left out prominent faces such as Barcelona defender, Dani Alves and Aston Villa’s midfielder, Philippe Coutinho from the Brazil squad
By Kehinde Okeowo
Brazil coach, Tite, has left out the Arsenal trio of Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Magalhaes from the squad to face Ghana and Tunisia in September’s World Cup warm-up friendlies.
The three players have been a key part of Arsenal’s impressive start to the season which has powered them to the top of the Premier League table after five wins from six matches.
However, despite the form they have shown this season, they will not play any role in Brazil’s pre-World Cup matches against the two African sides in September, after being snubbed by coach Tite.
While the Arsenal trio were ignored by the gaffer, Manchester United’s new boy, Antony, Tottenham’s Richarlison and Liverpool’s Alisson, Fabninho and Roberto Firmino made the team.
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Also in the squad are Manchester United midfield pair Casemiro and Fred, and West Ham’s club-record signing Lucas Paquet.
Chelsea center-back Thiago Silva, Newcastle midfielder Bruno Guimares and Tottenham’s Richarlison were also included.
Tite’s exclusion of Gabriel Jesus may have to do with the inclusion of Flamengo striker Pedro, who is the top scorer in this season’s Copa Libertadores with 12 goals.
The coach is also set to experiment with two new defenders called up for the first time, Juventus’ Gleison Bremer and Roma’s Roger Ibanez, leaving no place for Gabriel.
Aside from the three Gunners players, other notable absentees in the Brazilian squad are Barcelona defender, Dani Alves, and Aston Villa’s midfielder, Philippe Coutinho.
Brazil are in Group G at the World Cup which starts in November in Qatar along with Serbia, Switzerland and Cameroon.
Brazil squad for warm-up matches:
Goalkeepers: Alisson (Liverpool), Ederson (Manchester City), Weverton (Palmeiras)
Defenders: Danilo, Alex Sandro, Gleison Bremer (all Juventus), Alex Telles (Sevilla), Thiago Silva (Chelsea), Eder Militao (Real Madrid), Marquinhos (Paris Saint-Germain), Roger Ibaez (Roma)
Midfielders: Casemiro, Fred (both Manchester United), Fabinho (Liverpool), Lucas Paquet (West Ham), Bruno Guimares (Newcastle), Everton Ribeiro (Flamengo)
Forwards: Neymar (Paris Saint-Germain), Richarlison (Tottenham), Roberto Firmino (Liverpool), Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo (both Real Madrid), Antony (Manchester United), Raphinha (Barcelona), Matheus Cunha (Atletico Madrid), Pedro (Flamengo).