Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has delivered the latest on Gabriel Magalhaes and Riccardo Calafiori's injuries as the Gunners gear up for Sunday's Premier League London derby away to Fulham.
Neither defender was involved in the 2-0 triumph over Manchester United on Wednesday evening, where Jakub Kiwior and Oleksandr Zinchenko enjoyed rare starts in their absences.
Gabriel sustained his injury against Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League two weeks ago, but he was cleared to start last weekend's clash with West Ham United, scoring the opening goal before coming off at the break.
Calafiori was taken off not long after at the London Stadium in what appeared to be a precautionary measure at the time, but the Italian's problem was serious enough to keep him out of the Man United game too.
It is believed that Calafiori's concern is related to the knee issue he suffered against Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League back in October, and neither he nor Gabriel was seen in team training on Friday.
Gabriel, Calafiori miss team training two days before Fulham
Gabriel Magalhaes of Arsenal on November 26, 2024© Imago
Sky Sports News reports that the pair were restricted to indoor work at London Colney, raising doubts about their availability to face Fulham in Sunday's derby at Craven Cottage.
Addressing the media in Friday's pre-game press conference, Arteta kept his cards close to his chest as ever, but he refused to rule Gabriel or Calafiori out of the clash with Marco Silva's team.
"We have a few. It's matchday minus two so we have to modify a few players. Until tomorrow's training session it's very difficult to say. It depends how they evolve in the next few days," Arteta said.
As both Gabriel and Calafiori are in with a chance of taking on Fulham on Sunday, Arsenal's only two confirmed absentees will be Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu, both of whom are nursing knee injuries.
Meanwhile, opponents Fulham cannot field Arsenal loanee Reiss Nelson - who suffered a hamstring injury in Thursday's 3-1 win over Brighton & Hove Albion anyway - but the Gunners are expected to come up against three of their former players at Craven Cottage.
Arteta hints at Nelson future at Arsenal?
Fulham's Emile Smith Rowe on September 14, 2024© Imago
Alex Iwobi and Emile Smith Rowe - two graduates from Arsenal's Hale End academy - should start in the hosts' attack, while former Gunners number one Bernd Leno guards the sticks for the Cottagers.
Arteta naturally had some kind words to say about his former proteges, although he insisted that Nelson was still one of Arsenal's "own", hinting that there could still be a future in North London for the winger.
"They're doing very well. I'm very happy for them. Reiss is still one of our own but the rest as well. It will be great to see them," the Spaniard added, before being quizzed specifically on whether he still talks to Smith Rowe.
"Once they leave you have to leave them to do their own thing. You speak to them once in a while, but very grateful for what they did for us and wish them the best."
Arsenal enter gameweek 15 in third place in the Premier League table, seven points adrift of leaders Liverpool and below London rivals Chelsea on goal difference.
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