Arsenal Football Club has been dealt a significant blow with the news that key defender Gabriel Magalhães is expected to be sidelined for at least a month due to a hamstring injury.
Injury Strikes During International Duty
The Brazilian centre-back sustained the injury to his right thigh while playing for his national team in their 2-0 victory against Senegal at the Emirates Stadium last Saturday. Gabriel was forced to leave the pitch and was subsequently substituted.
He has since returned to his club for further assessment. While Arsenal have not yet issued an official statement on the full extent of the injury, internal tests are understood to be ongoing, with fears that he could be absent for a minimum of four weeks.
Crucial Fixtures Loom for the Gunners
This injury comes at a particularly inopportune time for Mikel Arteta's squad, who currently sit at the top of the Premier League table. Gabriel is almost certain to miss several pivotal matches, including:
- The North London derby against Tottenham this Sunday.
- The Champions League clash with Bayern Munich.
- Premier League fixtures against Chelsea, Brentford, and Aston Villa.
- A European away match against Club Brugge on 10 December.
Having played every single minute of Arsenal's Premier League campaign so far, his absence will be keenly felt. He has been a cornerstone of a defence that has conceded only five goals in eleven league games and had kept eight consecutive clean sheets in all competitions prior to the recent 2-2 draw at Sunderland.
Further Squad Concerns for Arteta
The problems do not end with Gabriel for the title-chasing side. There are also doubts over the fitness of striker Viktor Gyökeres, who missed the final two matches before the international break with his own hamstring issue.
In more disappointing news, Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann revealed that forward Kai Havertz has suffered a minor relapse in his recovery from a knee injury. While initially hopeful for a weekend return, Arteta must now wait until towards the end of the year for Havertz's comeback.
With captain Martin Ødegaard, Noni Madueke, and Gabriel Martinelli also on the absentee list, Arsenal's squad depth is being severely tested as they attempt to maintain their four-point lead over Manchester City.
