Arsenal suffer potential injury blow

Gabriel has suffered an injury scare on his debut for Brazil which could impact Mikel Arteta’s plans for this coming weekend. 

The 25-year-old centre-half was on the receiving end of a nasty challenge during Brazil’s 5-1 victory against Bolivia. After he was substituted late on in the match, he was seen holding an ice pack on his thigh.

It’s unknown whether the injury might be contact related, or muscle straight considering it was his thigh but it will no doubt frustrate Arteta after the Brazilian impressed against Manchester United prior to the international break.

Gabriel played 85 minutes for Brazil in the World Cup qualifier and as on the end of some tasty challenge even prior to the one that caused his injury.

Within the first five minutes he took a knee to the chest from Diego Ibanez but carried on with the game.

Is this a problem for Arsenal?

An injury to Gabriel will leave Arsenal incredibly short of options in defence. Jurrien Timber and Thomas Partey are both currently injured with Partey suffering a groin issue recently, while new signing Timber is set to miss the bulk of the season to an ACL injury.

Gabriel had found his way back into the Gunners starting lineup in the win over Manchester United after being dropped to the bench for the first few games of the season.

Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu will be available for the game at the weekend, as will Jakub Kwior who is yet to really impress for the Gunners since his arrival last January.

With Cedric still at the club, he could also provide an option for Arteta should options get really scarce for the Spaniard.

Gabriel had shaky moments last season and there will be hope he can set his injury aside and recover in time for this weekend considering his return to the best everyone knows the Brazilian is capable of.