FPL managers could be looking to bring in a replacement for Gabriel Magalhaes after the Arsenal defender was taken off with a minor injury in the Champions League clash against Sporting CP. The Brazil international put in an excellent display in Portugal while also scoring his third goal of the season.
In the late stages of the European clash, Gabriel was captured by the TNT Sports cameras signalling to the bench and was thus swiftly replaced by Jakub Kiwior in the 84th minute. After the game, Mikel Arteta for his reasoning behind the Gabriel substitution.
Speaking in his post-match press conference, he said. "We don’t know. We had to make the change because he was feeling some discomfort. I was about to make the change for Raz, poor thing, I couldn’t make the sub. We had to get him out."
Based on the update from Arteta, Gabriel's availability for this Saturday evening's Premier League clash against West Ham United at London Stadium is in doubt. He is now yellow-flagged on the FPL website and app which will concern his new 136,000 or so owners.
Following a run of challenging fixtures coming to an end for the Gunners, several managers have gone back to the Arsenal defence for the busy Christmas period. As Gabriel has started every Premier League game this season and played 90 minutes in all of those bar one, it is very likely he starts the next seven consecutive matches.
After keeping a third clean sheet of the season last weekend against Nottingham Forest, Gabriel is now the second-highest defender for points with 51, six behind Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk. Gabriel is owned by 24.5 per cent of Fantasy Premier League managers.
Arteta is expected to give an update on Gabriel in his Friday press conference with owners facing a tense wait especially as this weekend's deadline is 6:30pm GMT tomorrow ahead of Brighton vs Southampton. In terms of possible replacements if he is ruled out, teammate William Saliba makes the most sense for a straight swap.
If managers already own the France international, Van Dijk is a good replacement despite the fact Liverpool face Manchester City. In terms of cheaper options, Wolves' Rayan Ait-Nouri, Levi Colwill of Chelsea and Newcastle left-back Lewis Hall are some of the favourites.
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