Gabriel Magalhaes could return from injury this weekend for Arsenal's Premier League clash against Everton. The Brazil international has missed the last three games in all competitions due to a hamstring issue initially picked up in last month's Champions League win over Sporting CP and aggravated a few days later against West Ham.
Prior to his enforced absence, Gabriel had featured in 41 consecutive Premier League games but Mikel Arteta has been without one of his key players, in both boxes, for the last few weeks with the Gunners dropping points against Fulham last weekend.
Jakub Kiwior has been deployed alongside William Saliba in his absence, though he has been spotted behind the bench at Emirates Stadium supporting Arsenal during victories against Manchester United and Monaco. Fellow defender Riccardo Calafiori has also been out of action recently because of a groin problem.
With that being said, football.london has rounded up the latest injury updates surrounding Gabriel before Arsenal face Everton on Saturday afternoon.
Everton return plan
Gabriel is 'close' to returning from injury for Saturday's clash against Everton at Emirates Stadium, according to the Mail. The Brazil international was absent for the third matchday squad in a row after not being risked for the midweek triumph over Monaco in Europe.
Though that may be repeated this weekend, given the fact Arsenal are huge favourites to beat the Toffees, Arteta will want to deploy his best players to ensure maximum points are secured.
Training hint
Ahead of featuring against West Ham, Arteta made a huge Gabriel training admission which can seemingly be applied again. Speaking to Sky Sports, he said: "Gabriel is the good news that he managed to do the session yesterday and he felt much better so he is starting the game."
Though he has missed a few weeks more, it is clear Arteta does not require Gabriel to have a full week of training before including him. The belief is he has not yet trained outdoors at London Colney but has done plenty in the gym which makes it possible he only needs one full session before returning.
Arteta call
A huge dilemma awaits Arteta over whether or not to start Gabriel against Everton. Following that Premier League clash, Arsenal have four games in the next two weeks with many of those rather important.
After taking on Everton, Arsenal have a Carabao Cup quarter-final against Crystal Palace before playing them again in the league on the weekend. Another home clash then arrives against Ipswich, a favourable fixture which Gabriel could be rested in if he has returned for the two games against the Eagles.
A break for that match, which comes between Christmas and New Year, would also then set him up to feature in the back four away at Brentford on January 1, 2025.
What has been said
Arteta has issued a few updates on Gabriel's injury issues with another likely to arrive on Friday afternoon before Everton.
"We have to manage a lot of the players," he said before the game against Monaco. "Some of them probably aren’t going to be fit. Some are still a doubt. We have 24 hours to make a decision and hopefully it’ll be the right ones.
He later added: "Big Gabi has not had a muscular injury [before, but] he is playing a lot now, he is travelling, going to Brazil, he is a starter with Brazil."