Arsenal fans were left disappointed when their successful Brazilian trio of Gabriels were all left out of Tite's final warm-up squad ahead of the winter World Cup in Qatar.
Despite a brilliant start to the season that has seen Gabriel Jesus, Martinelli, and Magalhães all push Mikel Arteta's side to the top of the table six matches in, the international snub has come as a shock with two months until leagues break up for the tournament.
Fans were expecting to see all of their stars in the famous yellow shirts of Brazil for matches against Ghana and Tunisia but have been starved of that possibility, although it isn't necessarily a bad sign.
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Jesus, who has been the talisman for his new side with three goals in six games with three assists too, is almost certain to be in the final World Cup squad and is more likely being rested as Tite experiments with other options. The 25-year-old has scored 19-times in 56 matches for his country, but that is with only one in his last 21 matches going back to 2019. He will hope that a new-found role as the key man for his club will improve this form come November if he is involved.
Martinelli and Gabriel will be more worried, though. The winger has only made three appearances for his country. All of them have come this year since his debut in March. Despite an exciting and promising start to the new campaign, scoring three goals in six matches in the league - already his joint second-best season and half of his total from last season - he hasn't been included here. Neymar and Richarlison both have, indicating that the Spurs forward is above him in the pecking order whilst Liverpool's Roberto Firmino is given another chance alongside new Manchester United forward Antony.
Things look worst for Gabriel. He is yet to make his debut for his country despite inclusion in one previous squad, and he didn't make the most recent one. Given his form alongside William Saliba, it is a shock and a disappointment, but it won't be all bad news should some members not be in Qatar.
As much as all the players will want to be there, Arteta will have a valuable period of time to recover with some of his stars after a testing period of midweek matches puts the pressure on. Although the bulk of his squad will be missing, captain Martin Odegaard will also remain at London Colney as his Norway side watch on after not qualifying.
As well as Odegaard, Premier League top scorer Erling Haaland will remain behind, too, allowing the red-hot forward time to practice and recover himself.
If Arteta can put this time to good use by preparing the players he has left for post-World Cup action, then it could bring domestic success in the new year, and for him, that will be the most important aspect.
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