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Arsenal handed major injury boost ahead of Sporting clash

Arsenal FC v Bayer 04 Leverkusen - UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 Second Leg

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta will be desperate to have Gabriel Magalhaes back at his disposal (Picture: Getty)

Arsenal have received a significant boost ahead of their Champions League quarter-final first leg against Sporting, with Gabriel Magalhaes pictured back in first-team training today.

Gabriel played the full 90 minutes of Arsenal’s Carabao Cup final loss to Manchester City, but was forced off injured in the side’s FA Cup quarter-final defeat to Southampton.

The Brazil defender appeared in some discomfort as he left the field with a suspected knee injury, with William Saliba sent on in his place for the final 20 minutes at St Mary’s.

‘I think he felt something,’ Arteta told reporters when asked for an update on Gabriel’s condition after the Gunners’ elimination.

‘I don’t know exactly what it is. We’re going to have to assess him.

‘But obviously, when a player is asking to be substituted, it’s never good news.’

Just two days on, though, Gabriel was spotted training as usual with the rest of Mikel Arteta’s squad and the 28-year-old seemed in good spirits as he was put through his paces at London Colney.

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Gabriel was pictured out on the grass at London Colney today

Southampton v Arsenal - Emirates FA Cup Quarter Final

The Brazil international was forced off in the 72nd minute against Southampton (Picture: Getty)

Leandro Trossard was also pictured taking part in today’s training session along with Declan Rice, who withdrew from England duty during the international break.

However, there remain question marks over the fitness of Bukayo Saka, Eberechi Eze, Jurrien Timber and Piero Hincapie ahead of Tuesday night’s contest in Lisbon.

More to follow.

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