The former Chelsea star announced his retirement from international football following the World Cup in Qatar.
Eden Hazard has admitted that even he was surprised that he started ahead of Leandro Trossard for Belgium at the Qatar World Cup.
The Red Devils had a disappointing tournament in which Hazard started both of their first two group games against Canada and Morocco.
Hazard lost his place to Trossard for Belgium’s final group game against Croatia, where new Arsenal signing Trossard was given his first start of the tournament.
Trossard, who notched three assists in the first half of Arsenal’s 3-0 win over Fulham on Sunday, had an impressive campaign at Brighton before joining the Gunners and Hazard believes that his compatriot deserved more minutes.
“Not at all,” Hazard told RTBF when asked whether he was hurt that people suggested his time with Belgium was ‘coming to an end’.
“We were talking about the name of Leandro Trossard to replace me, he was having a good season. Even I wondered why I had to play when he had to go on the bench. It’s normal for people to think that.
“Especially after the game against Egypt, where we don’t play a good game, where I don’t play a good game.
“Cristiano Ronaldo did not play the last matches of the World Cup with Portugal, and yet it is Cristiano with Portugal, it is even more than Eden with Belgium.
“It is football, there are young people who grow, who want to take the place. When I started at the age of 16 with Lille, I took the place of Michel Bastos or someone else. Players who were there, in place.
“It’s normal, it’s football.’
Neymar Jr reacts to Gabriel Jesus back in action for Arsenal yesterday
Brazilian star Neymar was delighted to see Gabriel Jesus make his return to action for Arsenal yesterday.
The 25-year-old took to Instagram after playing his first competitive minutes for the Gunners since November.
He couldn’t have asked for an easier introduction to life back in the Premier League.
Mikel Arteta’s side blew Fulham away in the first-half yesterday, and were 3-0 up before the break.
Arsenal controlled the second-half, carving out a few chances, although Fulham did hit the bar.
After suggestions that Bukayo Saka seemed to have to play every minute for Arsenal this season, he was given an early rest.
Five minutes later, the travelling Arsenal support got what they wanted when they spotted Jesus on the substitutes bench.
The Brazilian replaced Leandro Trossard and finally took to the field once again.
There were plenty of question marks about whether Arsenal could cope without the forward during his injury lay-off.
Their five-point lead at the top of the Premier League certainly silenced those concerns.
Neymar loved Jesus’s return to Arsenal
The Brazilian international took to Instagram last night, and was over the moon to be back in action.
“So happy to be back,” Jesus said. “And feels like I never left…What a win from this group! Let’s go, gunners!”
Neymar replied with a love heart emoji on Jesus’s post after Arsenal’s latest victory.
Neymar loved Gabriel Jesus’s Arsenal return. Cr. (dejesusoficial) © 2023 INSTAGRAM FROM META.
Neymar loved Gabriel Jesus’s Arsenal return. Cr. (dejesusoficial) © 2023 INSTAGRAM FROM META.
Arsenal’s away support cheered every touch the 25-year-old took on his return, and nearly witnessed him score in the final moments.
It was only former Arsenal man Bernd Leno that prevented Jesus slotting home in front of the Gunners noisy travelling support.
Jesus was still doing some individual work in the warm-up to the game, suggesting he’s not quite fully fit yet.
This isn’t a surprise given how long he’s been out of action for, but seeing him come off the bench yesterday was a welcome sight.
Arsenal will now be counting down the games until the end of the season.
Mikel Arteta will be hoping Jesus’s return is a boost to everyone in the squad.
