Update: Arsenal defender Gabriel is set to undergo another scan on a groin injury suffered while playing for Brazil last week
Arsenal Football Newsletter
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed that Gabriel will miss “weeks” through injury, though captain Martin Odegaard could yet lead a raft of returnees for Sunday’s north London derby showdown with Tottenham.
Gabriel limped off in the second half of Brazil’s friendly win over Senegal at the Emirates Stadium last weekend with an adductor issue, with subsequent reports claiming there were fears the influential centre-back could be sidelined until January.
Arteta has been unable to provide an exact time frame for Gabriel’s return, with a clearer picture set to emerge after a latest scan scheduled for next week.
“Gabi unfortunately picked up an injury with Brazilian national team,” the Gunners boss said on Friday, ahead of the clash with Spurs. “He is going to be out for weeks. We need to have another scan, I think it is next Wednesday. We will have the timeline much more clearer, then.”
Riccardo Calafiori was another key injury concern for Arsenal during the international break, having withdrawn from the Italy camp with a hip problem.
The versatile defender is battling a few lingering knocks and is yet to train since returning to London, though Arteta has not ruled him out of this weekend’s derby.
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“He missed it (the international break),” Arteta said. “He has been carrying a few things. He hasn’t trained yet. Tomorrow we have another training session, let’s see how he is.”
Standard Sport understands that Odegaard is hoping to play against Tottenham in what would be his first outing since sustaining a knee injury in early October.
Arteta is hoping that his skipper can make another step forward in training on Saturday, along with a quartet of previously injured team-mates.
When asked about Odegaard, Noni Madueke, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus ahead of the meeting with Spurs, Arteta replied: “We put a lot of energy in during the international break to try to bring them back as quick as possible.
“Tomorrow we have another session, see how they are feeling. I am hopeful that we can make another step tomorrow.”
More to follow