Arsenal Football Club faces a significant setback as defender Gabriel Magalhães is expected to be sidelined for an extended period due to a hamstring injury. The injury occurred during the match against Fulham on Tuesday, where Gabriel was forced to leave the field early in the game.
Following the substitution, the club's medical team conducted thorough assessments, which revealed the extent of the damage. According to an official statement released by Arsenal, Gabriel has sustained a hamstring injury that requires surgical intervention. "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," the club stated.
The Brazilian defender is set to undergo a surgical repair procedure on his hamstring in the coming days. Following the surgery, Gabriel will immediately commence a recovery and rehabilitation program. The club's objective is to ensure he regains full fitness in preparation for the start of next season.
This injury is a major blow for Arsenal, particularly with a crucial Champions League quarter-final clash against Real Madrid looming next week. Gabriel has been a mainstay in the Gunners'defense, having started in 28 league games this season, contributing three goals and one assist.
Manager Mikel Arteta now faces a defensive challenge, with several other players also on the injury list. Jurrien Timber was also injured in the same match against Fulham. Ben White and Riccardo Calafiori were unavailable before the match. Takehiro Tomiyasu is also out, with his return expected towards the end of the year following knee surgery in February.
In the game against Fulham, Jakub Kiwior replaced Gabriel, while Thomas Partey, a midfielder, filled in at right-back when Timber was injured. These changes highlight the current strain on Arsenal's defensive resources.
Arsenal's injury woes extend beyond the defense, with key players like Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, and Gabriel Martinelli having previously missed games due to injuries. Forwards Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus have also been sidelined for extended periods.
The club has been investigating Gabriel’s injury that happened in April. Internal analysis indicated that Gabriel reached sprint speeds against Fulham that he hadn't achieved in the two months leading up to his international commitments with Brazil, according to ESPN. This discovery has led Arsenal to reassess their training protocols and monitoring systems for players returning from international duty. The injury investigation is part of a broader review at Emirates Stadium.
