Arsenal centre-back Gabriel Magalhaes, sidelined since suffering an abductor injury in November, sprinted from the sidelines to confront a player during a heated six-a-side match
Nathan Ridley Senior Sports Reporter and Simon Green Head of Trendswatch
12:17, 13 Dec 2025Updated 12:18, 13 Dec 2025
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)
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(Image: George Wood/Getty Images)
Injured Arsenal star Gabriel Magalhaes found himself embroiled in a fiery confrontation during a six-a-side match in London this week. Gabriel, 26, hasn't featured for the Gunners since the November international break, having picked up an adductor problem whilst representing Brazil in a friendly.
On Tuesday evening, the defender was invited to observe a small-sided game in Peckham, south London which had been organised between fans of Brazilian club Botafogo.
What started as a casual kickabout turned nasty when a reckless challenge left one player writhing in pain on the artificial surface.
London, United Kingdom - October 21: Gabriel of Arsenal FC looks on during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD3 match between Arsenal FC and Atletico de Madrid at Arsenal Stadium on October 21, 2025 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Vince Mignott/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images)
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(Image: Vince Mignott/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images)
The Sun reports that Gabriel charged from the touchline and confronted the culprit. Video footage captures the former Lille defender giving them a tongue-lashing in Portuguese, though the row didn't escalate to violence.
"It was really unexpected. He didn't look injured when he sprinted across the pitch to get involved," a witness told the newspaper.
"I don't know if he knew them personally but he seemed to just see red and fly off the handle."
After the drama subsided, both teams decided to pack it in for the evening, the Mirror reports.
Gabriel is now pressing on with his rehabilitation and is targeting a comeback early next month.
His unavailability, combined with that of reliable centre-back partner William Saliba, has hit Arsenal hard.
Mikel Arteta's injury-ravaged squad have surrendered points in two of the four Premier League fixtures where the pair haven't started alongside each other. Arsenal are set to host bottom-of-the-table Wolves on Saturday, with Jurrien Timber and either Piero Hincapie or Riccardo Calafiori expected to take up the centre-back positions.
However, Saliba is nearing a comeback.
"We have to wait and see," Arteta revealed at 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.
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)
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(Image: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
"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 sat out Wednesday's 3-0 victory over Club Brugge in the Champions League due to a minor injury. "Again, depends how he feels today," Arteta said of Timber.
"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."
Regarding 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."
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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."