Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed why Gabriel had to be substituted in the closing minutes of the 5-1 win against Sporting Lisbon on Tuesday evening.
The Brazilian international underwent treatment on what looked like a knee injury and, speaking after the match, Arteta said the defender could not continue:
“We had to make the change because he was feeling some discomfort. I was about to make the change for Raz [Raheem Sterling], poor thing, I couldn’t make the sub. We had to get him out.”
With some key games coming up, supporters on X are keeping their fingers crossed that Gabriel will return to full fitness very soon:
I really hope this is just a little knock and nothing that keeps him out for any period of time. We need our defense settled.
— Callum Stirling (@1CallumStirling) November 26, 2024
@FPL_Harry . I think he will be ready for the weekend. Arteta is always like this. He does it as a smart move in order other managers can’t know how he will set his starting 11. Only for that reason. I don’t think he is playing FPL himself!🤣🤣🤣
— FPL Vasileios (@VasilisKir29277) November 27, 2024
Relax there’s no way Gabriel doesn’t start Saturday 😂
— jack (@jaack_iconic) November 26, 2024
Out for a month or back on Saturday no in between
— SVD (@AFCSVD) November 27, 2024
There is always a little bad story 🤦🏾
— Mugeez (@DrMugeez) November 26, 2024
Arsenal have two big fixtures over the next week
The Gunners travel to the London Stadium on Saturday night to face West Ham. The Irons could be a much tougher proposition than they otherwise would have been, having beaten Newcastle at St James’ Park earlier this week.
Just a few days after the London derby, Arteta’s side will host Manchester United at the Emirates in a midweek fixture.
Latest Arsenal injury news
The club’s absentee list is now rather short after Kieran Tierney returned to full training following several months out with a hamstring injury.
In addition to Gabriel, there are only two other players on the treatment table. Takehiro Tomiyasu and Ben White both have knee injuries, and neither are expected to make their comeback anytime soon.
Find out who is in Arsenal’s first-team squad for the 2024/2025 season here
