Arsenal fear Gabriel Magalhães could miss at least a month after suffering a thigh injury on international duty with Brazil, potentially sidelining the defender during a crucial stretch of the season.
Gabriel limped off during Brazil’s 2-0 win over Senegal at the Emirates last Saturday. He returned to London for scans, which confirmed a muscle injury in his right thigh. Tests are ongoing, but the 27-year-old is already ruled out of Sunday’s north London derby against Tottenham, as well as Arsenal’s Champions League clash with Bayern Munich.
Depending on the severity, Gabriel could also miss league matches against Chelsea, Brentford, Aston Villa, and Wolves, along with the Champions League trip to Club Brugge on 10 December. Arsenal face Everton on 20 December in their rescheduled fixture.
The injury is a major blow for the Premier League leaders. Gabriel has played every minute of Arsenal’s league campaign and anchors a defence that has conceded only five goals in 11 matches. New signings Cristhian Mosquera and Piero Hincapié are potential replacements.
Arsenal also face uncertainty over striker Viktor Gyökeres, who missed the final two matches before the break with a hamstring problem. Meanwhile, Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann said Kai Havertz has suffered a “minor relapse” in his knee injury recovery and is unlikely to return until late December.
With Martin Ødegaard, Noni Madueke, and Gabriel Martinelli also sidelined, Mikel Arteta’s squad is being stretched as they try to maintain their title push.
