Gabriel Magalhaes will be out for weeks after picking up a thigh injury on international duty, Mikel Arteta confirmed while expressing both disappointment and faith in his squad options. He came off during Brazil’s 2-0 win against Senegal, a match that SoftFootball covered.
Mikel Arteta said, in a post shared by Fabrizio Romano on his official X account, the club will run another scan next Wednesday, so they still do not have the full picture.
Fabrizio Romano posted:
Mikel Arteta: Gabriel is gonna be out for weeks. We’ll have another scan next Wednesday.
It’s a blow, but we have very good options — players will have to step up now.
The manager admitted it is a blow for the team, calling Gabriel an important figure in the back line. At the same time, he tried to stay positive, saying they have options that need to step up. The tone was a bit mixed, almost like he’s disappointed but trying to stay upbeat for the squad.
This injury honestly comes at a tough moment. Arsenal are entering one of those stretches where every game looks like a final. Tottenham is up next, then Bayern Munich in the Champions League, and soon after a trip away to Chelsea.
Gabriel had started all eleven league games so far, and the defence has been the best statistically, with only five goals conceded. Without him, the numbers usually dip, and supporters know this even if everyone pretends to stay calm.
Arteta will now turn to Cristhian Mosquera and Piero Hincapie. SoftFootball already broke down the possible replacements. Mosquera has featured more often this season, while Hincapie is only returning from his own groin issue. Riccardo Calafiori is another doubt, which complicates it a bit more.
It’s a shame for Gabriel because he has been in great form lately, even winning Arsenal’s Player of the Month award for October, as highlighted by SoftFootball. Arsenal now must adjust and hope the scan brings better news than expected.
