Arsenal star Gabriel has been ruled out for the rest of the season in a major blow for Mikel Arteta ahead of the Gunners’ Champions League clash with Real Madrid next week. The Brazilian requires surgery on a hamstring injury he suffered in his side’s Premier League win over Fulham on Tuesday.
Gabriel pulled up 15 minutes into the 2-1 victory at the Emirates Stadium. He was clutching his hamstring and was immediately taken off by Arteta. The centre-back looked extremely uncomfortable as he hobbled off and Arteta confirmed afterwards that tests on Wednesday would unveil the severity of the problem.
Arsenal have now been given the worst possible news five days before they welcome Real Madrid to the Emirates in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie. The north Londoners hope Gabriel will be back before the start of next season.
A club statement read: “Further to being substituted during our match against Fulham on Tuesday, we can confirm that Gabriel Magalhaes has sustained a hamstring injury which requires surgery.
“Gabi will undergo a surgical repair procedure to his hamstring in the coming days, and immediately begin his recovery and rehabilitation programme, with the aim to be ready for the start of next season. Everyone at the club will be fully focused on supporting Gabi to ensure he is back to full fitness as soon as possible.”
Gabriel and William Saliba have an excellent defensive partnership that has formed the basis of Arsenal‘s success under Arteta. That relationship will now be broken up to dent Arsenal‘s Champions League aspirations and their already slim chances of catching Liverpool in the Premier League title race.
Arsenal‘s season has been derailed by a series of long-term injuries to key players. Gabriel has become the fourth Gunners player to be ruled out of the rest of the campaign. Kai Havertz (hamstring), Gabriel Jesus (hamstring) and Takehiro Tomiyasu (knee) were already set to miss the rest of 2024-25. Bukayo Saka missed three months with a hamstring injury of his own, making a scoring return against Fulham.
The injuries suffered by Havertz and Jesus have left Arsenal without a recognised striker since February. Gabriel’s issue could leave Arteta short of defensive options ahead of facing Real. Ben White also missed the visit of Fulham, while Jurrien Timber also limped off late on after initially going down in the first half.
Content Source: www.express.co.uk