Arsenal fear Gabriel Magalhães could miss at least a month after the defender suffered a thigh injury on international duty with Brazil, threatening to derail a crucial stretch of the Premier League leaders’ season.
The 27-year-old limped off during Brazil’s 2-0 win over Senegal at the Emirates Stadium and has since undergone further tests in London. While Arsenal have not confirmed a timeline, early indications suggest he will miss the north London derby against Tottenham on Sunday, as well as the Champions League clash with Bayern Munich three days later.
Depending on the severity, Gabriel could be sidelined for a run of key fixtures, including league games against Chelsea, Brentford, Aston Villa and Wolves, plus the Champions League trip to Club Brugge on 10 December.
The loss is significant: Gabriel has played every minute of Arsenal’s league campaign, anchoring a defence that has conceded just five goals in 11 matches and recently produced eight straight clean sheets.
Cristhian Mosquera and Piero Hincapié are candidates to fill in against Spurs. Meanwhile, Arsenal are also sweating on the fitness of £64m striker Viktor Gyökeres, still recovering from a hamstring issue, and captain Martin Ødegaard remains sidelined.
Kai Havertz’s return has also been delayed after what Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann called a “minor relapse” in his knee injury recovery, though he expects the forward back before the end of the year.
With Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli also out, Arsenal’s squad depth is being tested as they try to maintain their four-point lead over Manchester City.
