Arsenal are bracing for a major setback as Gabriel Magalhães could miss at least a month after suffering a thigh injury while on international duty with Brazil. The centre-back limped off during Brazil’s 2-0 win over Senegal at the Emirates last weekend, and further scans at Arsenal have confirmed a muscle issue in his right thigh.
While testing is ongoing, Gabriel is already ruled out of Sunday’s north London derby against Tottenham and the midweek Champions League clash with Bayern Munich. Early concerns suggest he may miss a minimum of four weeks – potentially longer depending on the severity – sidelining him for key Premier League games against Chelsea, Brentford, Aston Villa and Wolves, as well as the Champions League trip to Club Brugge on 10 December.
Gabriel’s absence would be a significant blow for Mikel Arteta’s league-leading side. The Brazilian has played every minute of Arsenal’s Premier League campaign and has been central to a defence that has conceded just five goals in 11 games.
New signings Cristhian Mosquera and Piero Hincapié are candidates to step in, while Arsenal are also sweating on the fitness of Viktor Gyökeres, who missed the final matches before the break with a hamstring injury.
Further complicating matters, Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann confirmed Kai Havertz suffered a “minor relapse” in his knee recovery and is now expected back toward the end of the year. With Martin Ødegaard, Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli also sidelined, Arsenal’s squad depth is being pushed to the limit as they try to maintain their title push.
