The Gunners' Key Center-Back Gabriel Sidelined for no Less than 30 Days with Muscle Strain
The North London club worry that center-back Gabriel Magalhães could be unavailable for at least 30 days after suffering a thigh injury while playing for Brazil recently.
Gabriel was forced off during the Seleção's win against Senegal in a exhibition match at the North London venue on Saturday and has since gone back to his team for more assessments.
Club examinations are continuing, and Arsenal have not yet disclose the full extent of the defender's layoff.
Nevertheless, he is not expected to be available for the upcoming clash with Tottenham on Sunday or the Champions League match with Bayern Munich only three days.
Possible Absence and Key Fixtures
Club sources worry that the defender could be out for a minimum of four weeks, maybe more, depending on the severity of the injury.
This would keep him out of multiple important fixtures, like:
- Premier League matches against the Blues and Brentford at home
- An away match to play Aston Villa
- The Champions League match at Brugge on 10 December
Mikel Arteta's side—who presently have a four-point lead over City—afterwards face Wolves at the Emirates before a rescheduled fixture to Everton on December 20th.
Major Blow for Arsenal's Championship Challenge
Being without such an influential player would be a significant setback for Arsenal in their title challenge.
The center-back has featured in every minute of the top-flight campaign so far and is crucial to a defense that has let in just five goals in 11 matches.
Prior to the recent 2-2 draw at Sunderland, the team had kept 8 straight clean sheets in every tournament.
Replacement Options and Additional Fitness Worries
Mosquera and other summer arrival Hincapié are in contention to replace Gabriel against Spurs.
Additionally, there are questions over whether striker Viktor Gyökeres will be back to play up front after sitting out Arsenal's last two fixtures before the pause due to a hamstring issue.
Meanwhile, German manager Julian Nagelsmann revealed that Kai Havertz has suffered a “minor relapse” during his recovery from a knee injury.
Although Mikel Arteta had been optimistic about the attacker's comeback this weekend, Nagelsmann suggested that the German is currently expected to be back towards the end of the year.
Squad Tested to the Maximum
Arsenal saw their championship push undermined last season by a succession of injuries and spent significantly in the transfer window to reinforce the squad.
But, with skipper Martin Ødegaard also on the injured list—alongside Noni Madueke and Martinelli—the squad is under strain considerably.