Arsenal have been without Gabriel Magalhaes since the defender was injured during Brazil's friendly against Senegal last month, but he's been back on the pitch in a bizarre way
BURNLEY, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 01: Gabriel of Arsenal takes to the field prior to the Premier League match between Burnley and Arsenal at Turf Moor on November 01, 2025 in Burnley, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)
Gabriel Magalhaes is currently out injured(Image: George Wood/Getty Images)
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Injured Arsenal star Gabriel Magalhaes was involved in a heated bust-up during a six-a-side match in London this week. Gabriel, 27, hasn't played for the Gunners since the November international break, having suffered an abductor injury while featuring in a friendly for Brazil.
On Tuesday night, the defender was invited to watch a small-sided game in Peckham, South London which was arranged between supporters of Brazilian side Botafogo. What began as a friendly kickabout turned ugly when a bad tackle left one player down in agony on the astroturf.
The Sun report that Gabriel ran from the sidelines and confronted the offender. Footage shows the former Lille star berating them in Portuguese, although the altercation didn't turn physical.
"It was really unexpected. He didn’t look injured when he sprinted across the pitch to get involved," an onlooker told the newspaper. "I don't know if he knew them personally but he seemed to just see red and fly off the handle."
Once the commotion died down, both sets of players decided to call it a night. Gabriel is now continuing his rehab and hopes to return to action early next month.
His absence, coupled with that of trusted centre-back partner William Saliba, has affected Arsenal negatively. Mikel Arteta's injury-hit side have dropped points in two of the four Premier League games in which the duo haven't started together.
Arsenal host last-placed Wolves on Saturday, with Jurrien Timber and one of Piero Hincapie or Riccardo Calafiori likely to play at centre-back. Saliba, though, is close to a return.
"We have to wait and see," Arteta told a pre-match press conference on Friday. "Yesterday we didn't train, so we have an extra day between this afternoon, let's see if he can be available or not.
"It remains the same. If you asked me for the Everton game, I think he will be fit; for tomorrow, I don't know."
Meanwhile, Timber missed Wednesday's 3-0 win away to Club Brugge in the Champions League due to a knock. "Again, depends how he feels today," Arteta said of Timber.
LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 15: Gabriel Magalhaes of Brazil reacts as he is substituted after suffering an injury during the International Friendly between Brazil and Senegal at Emirates Stadium on November 15, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
Gabriel Magalhaes is aiming to return to action in early January
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"It was a knock that he picked (up) and he wasn't feeling comfortable. So again, I think it's a matter of days, but whether it's tomorrow or not we'll see."
As for Declan Rice, another injured member of Arsenal's squad, the Gunners boss explained: "Let's see how he is today. He was ill, that's an illness, normally in a few days it gets resolved, but we have to wait and see."
And on Leandro Trossard, Arteta repeated: "Again, another one that is a matter of days. It sounds boring, but it’s the reality, so we don't know."
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