Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed that Gabriel Magalhaes is in contention to make his return from injury for the Gunners' Premier League clash with Everton on Saturday.
The Brazilian centre-back has struggled with an unspecified problem ever since the 5-1 win over Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League last month, although he was able to face West Ham United that same weekend.
However, Gabriel had to come off at half time in that 5-2 victory at the London Stadium, and the defender has since missed meetings with Manchester United, Fulham and Monaco.
Jakub Kiwior has filled in admirably during Gabriel's absence, but the Pole's time in the first XI could now come to an end, as Arteta confirmed at his pre-game press conference that his first-choice centre-back has trained and in line for some minutes.
"There is a possibility one of them to be available. He trained today and we will see tomorrow," Arteta said, before confirming that it was Gabriel who had practised and not Riccardo Calafiori (knee).
Arsenal's Riccardo Calafiori walks off with an injury on October 23, 2024© Imago
The Italian's most recent appearance for Arsenal also came in the triumph at West Ham a couple of weekends ago; it is believed that the knee problem he picked up against Shakhtar Donetsk in October has flared up again.
There is still no timeframe on when the Italian might be back in action, but Arteta is keeping his fingers crossed that it will not be too much longer, adding: "We're just respecting the times that the medical department has set and then we'll just monitor his evolution every single day. We understand that he's not fully ready yet but he's getting very close now."
Calafiori will be one of four absent defenders for Arsenal on Saturday, as Oleksandr Zinchenko remains missing with a muscle problem, while Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu are nursing serious knee injuries.
However, both Thomas Partey and Jurrien Timber overcame apparent knocks to feature in the midweek win over Monaco, where the latter was a second-half substitute as Myles Lewis-Skelly made his first European start.
Arteta has not ruled Lewis-Skelly out of the starting XI for Saturday's game too, adding: "He certainly deserves to be in contention to be selected because he performed and competed really well.
Arsenal's Myles Lewis-Skelly pictured on October 22, 2024© Imago
"At his age, to show maturity on the pitch is strange and off the field is exactly the same. He is a person who continuously surprises all the staff with the kind of questions that keep all of us asking. A lot of times that shows you the intelligence of the person and Myles is a really bright boy."
Could Arsenal welcome any arrivals in January?
The Gunners boss was also quizzed on the imminent January transfer window, which was a busy period in terms of incomings for Arsenal in 2023, when Kiwior, Jorginho and Leandro Trossard all arrived.
Arsenal did not make any winter acquisitions last season, though, and Arteta is not anticipating a hectic window next month, although he is not closing the door on incomings or outgoings.
"I never expect January to be super busy, but we have to wait and see where we are. Some surprises can come, we are prepared for that, some opportunities as well, and we have to see. Hopefully the squad availability is going to be better in a few weeks so we will have to wait and see," the Spaniard said.
Arsenal head into the weekend in third place in the Premier League table, two points below Chelsea and six behind leaders Liverpool having played a game more.
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