Arsenal were keen on signing Vinicius Junior from Real Madrid during this summer transfer window, while Gabriel Jesus is not training with the main group anymore
Vinicius Junior sitting down on the pitch during a Real Madrid match
Vinicius Junior could end up playing at Emirates Stadium this season after all(Image: Getty Images)
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Vinicius Junior faces the prospect of playing for Real Madrid against Arsenal at Emirates Stadium in the Champions League this season after both clubs were pitted against each other during the league phase draw at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco.
The Gunners were strongly interested in Vinicius during this summer transfer window. However, he signed a new six-year contract with Madrid in early August.
A former international teammate of the Brazilian, Gabriel Jesus, could, meanwhile, end up playing against the Gunners if Napoli's transfer interest ultimately materialises into a move. He is no longer training with the main group.
However, unlike Vinicius, a reunion with Jesus would not be in north London. Arsenal will play last season's Serie A runners-up in Naples.
Notably, he has never scored in five matches against his former club, Manchester City, from whom the Gunners signed the forward four years ago. Jesus missed his two opportunities to face them in early 2023 due to a knee injury.
The striker then started as Arsenal lost 4-1 at Etihad Stadium, being substituted 10 minutes from time. Jesus began both Premier League games in his second season, having not played the Community Shield with another knee injury.
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The first was a 1-0 win in north London and the second a 0-0 draw, in both of which he was shown a yellow card. Jesus' last appearance against City was approaching two years ago, as a late substitute before John Stones scored an even later equaliser in East Manchester.
He missed the next two matches while recovering from surgery on the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee. Arsenal won 5-1 and drew 1-1.
Jesus, however, was back for both fixtures at the back end of last season. A cameo came late on in the Carabao Cup final defeat.
He was then an unused substitute when both clubs met again weeks later. Jesus did not even make the squad for the Community Shield meeting just over a week ago.
Vinicius did, though, score against Arsenal in last season's Champions League quarter-final tie. However, it proved to be a consolation goal in the second leg at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.
That alone would have been enough to provide extra incentive when the two teams meet again this season. However, this summer's transfer saga and the feeling that Vinicius leveraged interest from the Gunners during contract negotiations with Madrid only add to it.