Liverpool news as Premier League title rivals Arsenal suffer injury blow with Gabriel Magalhaes forced off in the closing stages of 5-1 win over Sporting CP in the Champions League
Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes
Gabriel Magalhaes picked up an injury playing for Arsenal against Sporting(Image: Jose Manuel Alvarez Rey/JAR Sport Images/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Gabriel Magalhaes was forced to leave the pitch due to an injury during Arsenal's impressive 5-1 Champions League victory over Sporting CP on Tuesday night, as confirmed by Mikel Arteta. The Brazilian player, who scored Arsenal's third goal, was substituted for Jakub Kiwior with just over five minutes remaining in Portugal.
After the match, Arteta explained why Gabriel had to be taken off: "We had to make the change because he was feeling some discomfort," the head coach said. "I was about to make the change for Raz [Raheem Sterling], poor thing, I couldn't make the sub. We had to get him out."
This was the only downside to an otherwise fantastic night for the Gunners, who celebrated their biggest Champions League win in over two decades, dominating a Sporting team that was without Ruben Amorim.
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Gabriel Martinelli opened the scoring, followed by Kai Havertz doubling the lead. Gabriel's powerful header rounded off a great first half in Lisbon. However, his late substitution raises questions for Arsenal's Premier League title hopes with Liverpool already steaming clear at the top of the table.
Despite Sporting's attempts to fight back after the break, they were thwarted by David Raya and several excellent saves from long-range shots. Bukayo Saka then sealed the game after converting a penalty won by Martin Odegaard, reports football.london.
Leandro Trossard added a fifth goal to cap off a brilliant night in Europe. However, there was some concern when Gabriel fell and had to be assisted by the referee and William Saliba.
Arteta had initially planned to bring Sterling into the game, but was forced to rethink his strategy when Gabriel was ruled out due to injury. The Gunners' boss will be hoping for a swift recovery in time for their Saturday evening clash with West Ham.
Arsenal are heading to the London Stadium with the aim of securing consecutive Premier League victories, following their 3-0 triumph over Nottingham Forest last weekend. Liverpool take on Real Madrid in Europe themselves on Wednesday before facing off against Manchester City in a huge match on Sunday to follow.