Arsenal defender Gabriel to miss several weeks with injury, confirms Arteta

Arsenal’s defensive line has suffered a significant blow after head coach Mikel Arteta confirmed that central defender Gabriel Magalhães will be sidelined for several weeks due to a thigh injury.

Gabriel, 27, sustained the injury while representing Brazil on international duty. Arteta revealed that the club will conduct a follow up scan next Wednesday to determine the full extent of the problem. “Gabi unfortunately picked up an injury,” Arteta said. “It’s clearly a blow … The good thing is we have some very good options. They need to stand up now.”

The Brazilian has been pivotal for Arsenal this season, helping the team concede just five goals in 11 Premier League matches. His absence comes at a crucial period, with key fixtures, including the North London derby against Tottenham Hotspur, looming on the calendar. Arsenal also face important Champions League and Premier League games in the coming weeks.

Potential replacements for Gabriel include recent signings Cristhian Mosquera and Piero Hincapié, both expected to step into the central defensive role during his recovery. Compounding Arsenal’s defensive concerns is the fitness of Riccardo Calafiori, who has yet to return to training after withdrawing from Italy’s squad with a hip issue.

Initial medical assessments suggest Gabriel could be out for at least a month, with some reports warning that the absence might extend to two months, depending on recovery progress. Arsenal will hope their defensive depth is enough to navigate the challenging schedule without one of their key defenders.