The defender has returned to London for treatment, raising concerns over his availability during a crucial stretch for the Premier League leaders.
Arsenal are facing a significant defensive setback after Gabriel Magalhães suffered a right-thigh injury while on international duty with Brazil. The 27-year-old was forced off in the second half of Brazil’s friendly win against Senegal and has now returned to London for further assessment.
Initial scans confirmed a muscle issue in his adductor, raising fears that he could miss the north London derby next weekend. The timing is a concern for Arsenal, who are preparing for a demanding run of fixtures while sitting at the top of the Premier League table.
Gabriel has been central to Arsenal’s strong defensive record this season, playing every minute and forming a reliable partnership that has produced one of the league’s best backlines. His absence would force Mikel Arteta to rely on alternative options, including Cristhian Mosquera, Piero Hincapié, or Riccardo Calafiori, who has also been dealing with minor fitness problems of his own.
The club is also managing uncertainty around several attacking players. Martin Ødegaard’s return remains unclear despite earlier optimism, and the manager continues to work without a number of forwards who have been unavailable for weeks. Arsenal hope to have Gabriel Martinelli and Viktor Gyökeres back soon, while Kai Havertz and Noni Madueke are nearing the end of long injury layoffs.
The growing list of fitness concerns comes at a critical point, leaving Arsenal to balance squad rotation and recovery while trying to maintain control at the top of the league. Gabriel’s condition will continue to be monitored this week, but his availability for the derby remains in serious doubt.
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