Duel between Jesus and Richarlison gives derby battle an extra dimension

Roberto Carlos wants to speak in Portuguese and it has been decided that Gilberto Silva will translate into English for him. “I need to be paid double for this,” Silva says with a smile. It is the premiere of Brazil 2002: The Real Story, an excellent documentary that charts the Seleção’s fifth World Cup triumph, and the legends are on stage for a Q&A.

It is Wednesday night in central London and one of those events where plenty of people are either famous or look as if they should be. The Arsenal and Brazil winger Gabriel Martinelli is there. So is Jorginho, Chelsea’s Brazil-born Italy midfielder.

The host asks Carlos in English how he thinks England will do at the World Cup in Qatar and Carlos cracks up, which does not bode well for his answer. “Did you understand the question?” Silva asks. “Yes,” Carlos replies and by now everyone is laughing.

Carlos is only joking, as usual. He believes England will do well and one of the reasons is that the presence of so many stars from around the world in the Premier League makes the domestic players better.

He looks at Martinelli and Jorginho and mentions them, then namechecks Richarlison, the Brazil striker at Spurs. Gabriel Jesus, Brazil’s other key No 9, has been on fire for Arsenal in the early weeks of the season and the thought occurs that a Brazilian influence is likely to lift and, possibly, define the north London derby at the Emirates on Saturday. The sight of Silva, the Arsenal Invincible, merely fires the derby vibe. Seemingly everyone at the after-party wants to talk to him about it.

Gabriel Magalhães is set to start in central defence for Arsenal, Emerson Royal is in contention at right wing-back for Spurs and Martinelli is in vibrant form. But, really, the top