Arsenal currently sit atop the Premier League table with Pep Guardiola's Manchester City and Arne Slot's Liverpool failing to hit the heights of previous campaigns so far in 2025-26, but after Gabriel Magalhaes suffered an injury blow during the international break, the next few weeks will see the Gunners' credentials put to the test.
The Brazil defender has been one of Mikel Arteta's most important players this term, and his absence from the league's strongest backline could harm the Londoners' push for a first top-flight crown in over 20 years.
Here, Sports Mole provides details on Gabriel's injury, as well as taking a look at how it might affect the title race.
What injury does Arsenal's Gabriel Magalhaes have? How long will he be out?
Gabriel Magalhaes goes off injured for Brazil at the Emirates against Senegal, on November 15, 2025
Gabriel pulled up off the ball during Selecao's 2-0 friendly win over Senegal on Saturday, and was forced to be substituted early in the second half of a match that was coincidentally being played at the Emirates Stadium.
The 27-year-old Brazilian felt pain in his right adductor muscle and was initially thought to have developed a groin issue, but scans later revealed that the defender suffered a thigh injury.
As a result, the Arsenal centre-back did not feature against Tunisia on Tuesday night and subsequently left the national team squad, all while Gunners fans awaited a timeline for his return.
Unfortunately for the Londoners, recent reports have indicated that Gabriel is likely to miss at least a month of action and he may even be sidelined until January, though further examination will take place to pinpoint a more precise return date.
Which games could Gabriel miss for Arsenal in the Premier League title race?
Charles Watts YouTube image
Even if Gabriel were to miraculously recover by the end of November, he will have missed crucial derby clashes against Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea in the Premier League, as well as a blockbuster Champions League showdown with Bayern Munich, the most in-form team in Europe.
A more realistically hopeful timeframe could see the centre-back return to action in mid-December, though he would be sidelined for tricky games against Brentford and Aston Villa, in addition to matches with Club Brugge and Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Should the worst-case scenario occur, and Gabriel is out of contention until the start of 2026, then he would also be unavailable to face Everton, Crystal Palace (EFL Cup) and Brighton & Hove Albion, on top of the Villa return game on December 30 at the very least.
Looking at Arsenal's fixture list over the next six-to-eight weeks, it is easy to see how their commanding position in the Premier League title race could be under serious threat, and without Gabriel, they may cede ground to chasers Man City.
Could Manchester City take advantage of Gabriel's injury?
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola pictured on October 18, 2025
Following Arsenal's 2-2 draw with Sunderland prior to the international break, second-placed Man City moved to within four points of the Gunners thanks to a resounding 3-0 win over struggling Liverpool.
Now, with a run of fixtures that seems challenging on paper, Arteta's side will need to navigate a pressure-filled few weeks without their main man at the back.
Arsenal have come in for criticism for their reliance on set-pieces in 2025-26, though it is difficult to question the results so far given that they sit top of the table.
However, the league-leaders' methods are likely to be the focus of attention once again considering that Gabriel's influence extends far beyond keeping clean sheets, given he is an aerial powerhouse in both boxes, and their attacking output is likely to suffer as a result of his injury layoff.
At the same time, Man City's next five top-flight games will see them face an out-of-form Newcastle United, as well as Leeds United, Fulham, Sunderland and Palace, a significantly easier run than Arsenal's.
The Citizens will be expecting to take maximum points going into the festive period, and given that they are sure to be hot on the heels of Arsenal should they show any weakness in Gabriel's absence, the next few weeks could be particularly tense for fans.
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