Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhães will be sidelined for “weeks” following a thigh injury sustained while on international duty, head coach Mikel Arteta confirmed on Thursday. The Brazilian centre-back limped off during Brazil’s friendly against Senegal at Emirates Stadium last weekend, and the injury subsequently ruled him out of Brazil’s 0-0 draw with Tunisia three days later.
Gabriel, 27, has been in sensational form for Arsenal FC this season, anchoring a defence that has conceded just five Premier League goals across the opening 11 matches. His presence has been crucial as the Gunners enjoy a four-point lead at the top of the Premier League table.
“Gabi is going to be out for weeks,” said Arteta. “He will have another scan next Wednesday, which should give us a clearer picture of his recovery timeframe.”
Who Could Replace Gabriel?
With Gabriel unavailable for Arsenal’s crucial clash against Tottenham Hotspur this Sunday (16:30 GMT), Arteta is considering alternatives. Piero Hincapie and Cristhian Mosquera are both in contention to deputise in central defence.
“It’s clearly a blow because he’s our leader in our backline,” Arteta added. “But the good thing is that we have very good options, and now people have to stand up and do the job.”
Gabriel joined Arsenal from Lille in 2020 for a reported £23.1 million and has started all 11 of Arsenal’s Premier League matches this season, highlighting his importance to the team.
Injury Worries Continue for Arsenal
The Brazilian’s absence is part of a growing list of injury concerns for Arsenal ahead of the north London derby. Defender Riccardo Calafiori is a doubt after withdrawing from Italy duty due to a hip issue and has yet to train since returning to London. Arteta emphasized that Calafiori would be given every chance to prove his fitness ahead of the clash.
“He has been carrying a few things. He hasn’t trained yet. Tomorrow we have another training session, so let’s see how he is,” said Arteta.
Meanwhile, Swedish striker Viktor Gyökeres remains sidelined with a hamstring injury, further limiting Arteta’s options up front.
Implications for Arsenal
Gabriel’s injury is a significant setback for Arsenal, especially as they aim to maintain their strong defensive record and hold onto the top spot in the Premier League 2025/26 season. The Gunners have conceded just five goals so far, making them the best defensive team in the league alongside Manchester City.
Arteta’s side will now need to rely on squad depth and emerging talent to step up during this challenging period, particularly in high-stakes fixtures like the North London Derby.
Arsenal fans will be watching closely as the team navigates these key fixtures without their defensive leader.
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