LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 01: Gabriel of Arsenal looks dejected as he leaves the pitch after picking up an injury during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Fulham FC at Emirates Stadium on April 01, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
Arsenal defender Gabriel is likely to miss Arsenal’s Champions League clash against Real Madrid (Picture: Getty)
Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes has already undergone scans to assess the severity of the hamstring injury he sustained during Tuesday’s win against Fulham.
The Brazil international lasted just 16 minutes against the Cottagers after he pulled up sharply having attempted to sprint back and help his team defend a counter attack.
Gabriel, who has enjoyed an outstanding personal campaign, now looks likely to miss both legs of Arsenal’s Champions League quarter final against Real Madrid and his wife, Gabrielle Figueiredo, did little to dispel the severity of the injury.
Speaking at the Married to the Game screening last night, she said: ‘It’s difficult. I think the perfect example is now, because he got injured yesterday.
‘So that is why he’s not here with me today. He would love to be here. I would love to be here with him.
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‘Yesterday we got the news he got injured, and now he is with the doctor having scans.
‘So this is the real life, and we never expected anything like this.’
Arsenal FC v Fulham FC - Premier League
Gabriel was forced off after 15 minutes (Picture: Getty Images)
Arsenal's defensive injury woes
Gabriel Magalhaes: Suffered a hamstring injury against Fulham and looks unlikely to feature in either leg of the Champions League quarter final against Real Madrid.
Jurrien Timber: Hobbled off against Fulham in the 77th minute with an apparent knee injury. Arsenal will hope the versatile defender is not seriously injured.
Ben White: Only returned to first team action after a three-month lay-off in February, but he missed the Fulham game after suffering a setback in training.
Riccardo Calafiori: The Italy international will be out for’a matter of weeks’ according to Mikel Arteta after the defender sustained an injury playing for his country a fortnight ago.
Takehiro Tomiyasu: Has played only once this season and underwent surgery recently which means he won’t be back until the start of next season as the earliest.
On how she supports her man in times of adversity, Gabrielle added: ‘I think the only thing that we could do is being together and be the assurance for each other.
‘That is the thing that I (will) do when I arrive home today. And yeah, it’s not easy, but we try our best to create this bond together every day, in every difficult moment.’
Mikel Arteta is also sweating on the fitness of Jurrien Timber, who also hobbled off against Fulham, while Ben White and Riccardo Calafiori are also major injury doubts.
Arsenal FC v Fulham FC - Premier League
Timber was also replaced late on (Picture: Getty Images)
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The absence of up to five defenders means Jakub Kiwior is likely to be pressed into emergency action against the reigning European champions and tasked with stopping the likes of Kylian Mbappe.
‘The good thing with Jakub is that he’s been very reliable,’ said Arteta when asked if he retained confidence in a player who has been reduced to a bit-part role this term.
‘Every time we need him he’s always there, he’s available and he does his job. We ask him to play as a left centre-back, as a right centre-back, as a left full-back.
‘He’s ready, he’s got a smile on his face. It’s sad for Gabi but he really wanted to play as well and he will be fine.’
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