Jesus dismisses fears of player burnout in World Cup year

Gabriel Jesus has dismissed claims that players could suffer from burnout this season, insisting that he is ready to play ’70 games’ during the 2022/23 campaign.

This season’s fixtures calendar has been extremely intense due to the World Cup being played mid-season in Qatar, with many teams being forced to play twice a week up until the tournament’s kick off in order to squeeze the club football season in.

With Arsenal playing in the Europa League and Brazil as one of the favourites to win the World Cup, Jesus will likely play a lot of football between now and the end of the season, something which he is ready to do: “I’m doing good recovery after the games – eating better, sleeping better, enjoying the life in the Arsenal t-shirt a lot.

“So I’m ready to play 50, 60, 70 games per season. I’m ready.”

When asked about Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli starting both Europe League games and Premier League games in quick succession, the 25-year-old added: “They are machines. I joke with them, I think I am a player with a lot of energy and I run all the time, I fight all the time, but when I train every day with them I realise I am not even close to them. They just don’t stop.

“They are machines, quality players as well, and they’re still young, both 21. I am lucky to play with them.”