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Football London
Football London
Sport
Kieran Horn

William Saliba sends Arsenal teammate Gabriel Jesus Brazil plea amid potential World Cup clash

Arsenal have flown to the top of the Premier League table this season with Mikel Arteta's side sitting five points ahead of their nearest challengers Manchester City after the season was paused due to the World Cup. The Gunners have had a number of incredible performers this campaign and many of those featuring in Qatar are likely there because of the displays they have produced in north London.

Granit Xhaka for Switzerland and Thomas Partey for Ghana were expected inclusions, but Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus for Brazil were somewhat surprising inclusions especially after missing out on a spot in Brazil's squad in the September international break.

France also named William Saliba in their World Cup squad as Didier Deschamps' side hoped to retain their crown as world champions without a number of stars who were pivotal to their success four years ago, including Paul Pogba and N'golo Kante.

READ MORE: Mikel Arteta's non-negotiable at Arsenal makes Mohammed Kudus transfer decision even easier

Martinelli and Jesus are set to start Brazil's final group match against Cameroon while Saliba impressed after coming on in France's 1-0 defeat to Tunisia after they had already secured qualification to the knockout stages.

Brazil have also clinched group stage qualification after wins against Serbia and Switzerland and could be the only team to finish with a 100% group stage winning record if they defeat Cameroon. Jesus and Martinelli would likely come up against Saliba and France in the semi-final if they top their group, whereas a second-placed finish could see them collide in the quarter-finals.

Ahead of France's last-16 fixture with Poland, Saliba has spoken on a number of topics including Jesus and his hope that Brazil do not meet France at any point in the World Cup

Saliba said: "He (Jesus) is a top player, he's doing good for us this year with Arsenal. I hope that he has a good performance, but just today.

"I hope that they (Brazil) are quickly knocked out. I am not having exchanges with him during the World Cup."

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