Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed a significant setback for his team, announcing that key defender Gabriel will be unavailable for selection for several weeks due to injury.
Injury Blow on International Duty
The 27-year-old centre-back, who has been an ever-present in the Arsenal defence this season, sustained a thigh injury while playing for Brazil in their friendly match against Senegal. The game was held at Arsenal's own Emirates Stadium last weekend.
Gabriel will undergo a scan on Wednesday to determine the full extent of the damage. This assessment coincides with the day Arsenal face Bayern Munich in a crucial Champions League fixture.
Arteta's Reaction and Defensive Dilemma
Addressing the media, Arteta expressed his disappointment, stating, 'Gabriel, unfortunately, picked up an injury with the Brazilian national team and he's going to be out for weeks.' He confirmed the timeline would become clearer after the midweek scan.
The manager acknowledged the significance of the loss, calling Gabriel the 'leader in our backline'. However, he remained pragmatic, highlighting the squad's depth. 'The good thing is that we have very good options and people have to stand up now and do the job,' Arteta added.
With Gabriel absent for the upcoming North London derby against Tottenham Hotspur, players such as Piero Hincapie and Cristhian Mosquera are in contention to deputise.
Broader Squad Fitness Update
The injury to Gabriel compounds existing fitness concerns within the Arsenal squad. Several other players have been recently sidelined, including Viktor Gyokeres, Gabriel Martinelli, Kai Havertz, Noni Madueke, and captain Martin Odegaard.
Arteta provided a glimmer of hope, revealing that the medical team had been working intensively during the international break. He indicated that a clearer picture on the availability of some players would emerge after the final training session before the Tottenham match.
