Premier League
Gabriel left the field after just 16 minutes of the match
Arsenal defender Gabriel has been forced off with what appears to be a hamstring injury in Tuesday's clash with Fulham - just one week before the Gunners play Real Madrid.
The Brazilian defender pulled up with the problem in the early exchanges of the Premier League clash, and after dropping down to the turf he was eventually taken off after 16 minutes and replaced by the Polish international Jakub Kiwior. The blow comes seven days before the Gunners welcome Real to the Emirates Stadium for the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final.
Commentating on the match on BBC Radio Five Live, the former Premier League forward Glenn Murray said: "It feels as though Arsenal's season has revolved around injuries. Just one major player missing after another.
"Watching Gabriel limp around the back of the goal it will be devastating for Mikel Arteta and his side going into the huge challenges against the Real Madrid "Galacticos"."
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The Gunners would soon suffer another injury scare when Gabriel's fellow defender Jurrien Timber pulled up with what looked to be a knee injury. The Dutch international was treated on the pitch for a few minutes, but was able to continue.
Arsenal came into the match reflecting on some positive injury news, with Bukayo Saka returning to a Gunners matchday squad for the first time in 19 matches.
The wide man had been sidelined for 101 days with the hamstring injury he picked up in the Gunners' Premier League clash at Crystal Palace on December 21.
Gabriel cut a gloomy figure as he was forced off injured
Gabriel cut a gloomy figure as he was forced off injured
Arsenal boss Arteta told Sky Sports: "Great to have him back, we missed him. He's a very important player for us. He's back, he's ready. It was a hard decision to put him on the bench when a player like that is available, but I think it was the right decision for the first game back."
Defender Ben White was absent from the Arsenal squad though, with Arteta adding: "He had a little niggle two days ago. Yesterday we tried, he wasn't feeling right so we decided not to put him in the squad."
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