Riccardo Calafiori and Gabriel Magalhaes
Image credit: Getty Images
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has offered updates on the fitness of defenders Gabriel Magalhaes and Riccardo Calafiori following the Gunners’ emphatic 5-2 triumph over West Ham on Saturday.
The Gunners delivered a dominant first-half display, scoring five goals to put the game beyond doubt. Gabriel Magalhaes opened the scoring in the 10th minute with a towering header from a corner. Leandro Trossard doubled the lead shortly after with a close-range finish. Martin Ødegaard converted a penalty after Bukayo Saka was fouled in the box, and Kai Havertz raced onto a Trossard pass to make it 4-0 with 10 minutes remaining in the half.
West Ham responded with a quick double, as Aaron Wan-Bissaka scored from inside the area and Emerson curled home a sublime free-kick. However, Arsenal restored their grip on the match with a second penalty in first-half stoppage time, calmly converted by Saka to cap off an eventful 45 minutes.
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Gabriel, who played a crucial role in winning Arsenal’s second penalty after being struck in the head by West Ham goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski, was substituted at halftime. Despite appearing dazed initially, the Brazilian defender was later seen on the bench with his teammates during the second half.
Speaking after the match, Arteta revealed the substitution was precautionary and related to a prior injury sustained during Arsenal’s clash with Sporting Lisbon earlier in the week.
West Ham United goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski accidentally punches Gabriel of Arsenal to concede a penalty (Image credit: Getty Images)
“It was related to the previous injury that he had in Lisbon,” Arteta explained. “He did great to be part of the game, but with that result and the niggle he’s feeling, we decided to take him off.”
Arteta also praised Gabriel’s aerial threat: “He has real belief in himself, and you can see it in his body language. It makes us more unpredictable, which is a great asset.”
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Summer signing Riccardo Calafiori was another player withdrawn during the second half. The Italian, recently returning from a knee injury, has been carefully managed to avoid further setbacks.
“Well, he’s had little niggles in the last few weeks,” Arteta said. “He’s doing really well after his serious injury, but we have to manage his minutes, and today was no different.”
With Arsenal set to host Manchester United in the Premier League next Wednesday, the fitness of both defenders remains a concern. Arteta will hope to have a fully fit squad as the Gunners aim to extend their impressive form.
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