Arsenal fear that defender Gabriel Magalhães may miss at least a month after suffering a thigh injury while on international duty with Brazil. The 27-year-old limped off during Brazil’s friendly win over Senegal at the Emirates Stadium and has since undergone further tests, though the club has not yet confirmed a timeline for his recovery.
Gabriel is already ruled out of Sunday’s north London derby against Tottenham and the Champions League clash with Bayern Munich. Depending on the severity of the injury, he could also miss league games against Chelsea, Brentford and Aston Villa, as well as the Champions League trip to Club Brugge on 10 December. Arsenal face Wolves and then a rearranged match against Everton later in the month.
The setback is significant for the Premier League leaders. Gabriel has played every minute of Arsenal’s league season and is central to a defence that has conceded only five goals in 11 games. New signings Cristhian Mosquera and Piero Hincapié are candidates to step in against Spurs.
Arsenal also remain unsure whether striker Viktor Gyökeres will return after missing the last two matches with a hamstring issue. Meanwhile, Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann said Kai Havertz suffered a “minor relapse” in his knee injury recovery, delaying his expected return until late in the year.
With captain Martin Ødegaard, Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli also sidelined, Arsenal’s squad depth is being tested as they try to maintain their push for the Premier League title.
