Gabriel Magalhães Injury: Expected Return Date And Matches He Could Miss

‎Arsenal fear Gabriel Magalhães could be sidelined for at least a month after he picked up a thigh injury on international duty.

‎The Brazil defender limped off during Saturday’s 2-0 win over Senegal in a friendly at the Emirates Stadium. Initial assessments confirmed a muscle issue in his right thigh.

‎He has since returned to the club for further tests, with concerns he could miss a crucial stretch of the season for the Premier League leaders.

‎Tests are still ongoing, and Arsenal have not confirmed how long the influential 27-year-old will be out.

‎However, he is expected to miss Sunday’s north London derby against Tottenham. He is also unlikely to feature in the Champions League clash with Bayern Munich three days later.

‎How long could Gabriel be sidelined

‎There are fears that Gabriel could be sidelined for at least a month, or longer if the injury is more serious. This would rule him out of the Premier League clashes with Chelsea and Brentford at home, as well as the away trip to Aston Villa.

‎It would also keep him out of the Champions League match against Club Brugge on 10 December.

‎Mikel Arteta’s side, who have a four-point lead over Manchester City, then face Wolves at home before their rearranged trip to Everton on 20 December.

‎Losing Gabriel would be a major setback for Arsenal’s title push, as he has played every minute of their Premier League campaign. His absence is especially damaging given his key role in a defence that has conceded only five goals in 11 matches.

‎Arsenal had also recorded eight straight clean sheets in all competitions before the 2-2 draw at Sunderland.

‎Cristhian Mosquera and his fellow new signing Piero Hincapié are in the frame to replace Gabriel against Spurs.

‎There are also concerns about whether Viktor Gyökeres will be back to lead the line, after the £64m striker missed Arsenal’s final two matches before the international break because of a hamstring injury.

‎The Germany manager, Julian Nagelsmann, revealed on Tuesday that Kai Havertz has experienced what he described as a “minor relapse” during his recovery from a knee injury after Arteta had been hopeful that the striker could return this weekend.

‎“But overall, he’s doing well,” Nagelsmann said.

‎“He is expected to return towards the end of the year.”

‎Arsenal’s chase of Liverpool last season was derailed by a string of injuries, prompting them to spend over £250m on summer reinforcements.

‎Yet with captain Martin Ødegaard sidelined, alongside Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli, the squad is once again being pushed to its limits.