The Gunners boss provided a bleak assessment of his Brazilian defender Gabriel after he was forced off just 16 minutes into the 2-1 win over Fulham on Tuesday evening
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22:41, 01 Apr 2025
Gabriel was forced off after just 16 minutes of the match
Gabriel was forced off after just 16 minutes of the match(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Mikel Arteta appeared less than optimistic about Gabriel's chances of facing Real Madrid as the Arsenal defender was forced off with a hamstring injury against Fulham, while he admitted Jurrien Timber struggled for much of the game.
Brazilian defender Gabriel was taken off after only 16 minutes of the match when he pulled up as he raced back to defend, and the centre-back was replaced by Jakub Kiwior. Arsenal would go on to win the game 2-1, with the returning Bukayo Saka scoring what would prove to be the winner only seven minutes after coming on.
But the Gunners also lost Dutch defender Timber in the second period too, as the former Ajax man left the field having picked up a knee problem in the first half.
READ MORE: Mikel Arteta faces worst nightmare despite Bukayo Saka heroics on Arsenal returnREAD MORE: Bukayo Saka returns in style but Arsenal suffer injury woe against Fulham - 5 talking points
Speaking to BBC Radio Five Live about Gabriel, Arteta said: "He felt something, he's not sure how bad it is. The fact that he could not continue is not a good sign, obviously. But we had to adapt, Jurrien was the same, we lost Ben (White) yesterday. Unfortunately it's been the narrative throughout the season, but let's keep working and see how he is."
Elaborating on Gabriel and Timber during his press conference, the Gunners boss added: "We don't know how they are going to be. We will be assessing them tomorrow. Two players in this team who never want to come off are those two. Jurrien was struggling very early in the game, he managed to continue and at some point he couldn’t."
Jurrien Timber was taken off in the second half
Jurrien Timber was taken off in the second half(Image: Getty Images)
Gunners legend Ian Wright is worried about Gabriel, telling Premier League Productions: "It is very concerning because for me, the way he’s pulled up, that’s not two weeks. That’s like six weeks at least, could be out for the season, depending what happens with Arsenal.
"But that’s a massive blow for us, with him and without him there’s a massive difference. He is someone that is vital to what Arsenal are doing."
Commentating on the match on BBC Radio Five Live at the time, 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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