Arsenal and Chelsea have been handed a welcome boost as both London clubs prepare to resume their Premier League campaigns this weekend.
Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti has named his starting XI for the international friendly against Japan, leaving out Gunners defender Gabriel and Blues youngster Estevao.
There is no suggestion that either player is injured as Ancelotti has opted to ring the changes and hand opportunities to the likes of Lucas Beraldo and Luiz Henrique.
Both Gabriel and Estevao featured in the 5-0 thrashing of South Korea last week, with Estevao scoring twice to take his tally to three goals in just eight senior appearances for the national team.
While either, or both could yet make an appearance as substitutes, they should benefit from some rest ahead of returning to London in the next few days.
Gabriel had been a doubt for Arsenal’s 2-0 win over West Ham before the international break.
The central defender went down after a collision with goalkeeper David Raya towards the Gunners’ win over Olympiacos in the Champions League a few days prior.
However, he was passed fit to face the Hammers and played the full 90 minutes as Arsenal took advantage of Liverpool’s loss to Chelsea to go into the international break top of the Premier League table.
That victory for the Blues was made possible by Estevao’s late heroics at Stamford Bridge as he scored in the fifth minute of injury-time to spark wild scenes in the stadium.
Chelsea get the Premier League restarted on Saturday with a trip to struggling Nottingham Forest, a fixture which head coach Enzo Maresca is suspended for after being sent-off against Liverpool.
Meanwhile, Arsenal make the short trip across London to face Fulham in the day’s late kick-off.
