Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta
Image credit: Getty Images
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has delivered a concerning injury update ahead of Sunday’s Premier League meeting with Crystal Palace.
The Gunners will return to league action in blistering form after a commanding 4–0 victory over Atletico Madrid in midweek Champions League action, a result that extended their impressive run across competitions. Palace, meanwhile, endured a tougher week, losing at home to Larnaca in Europe and settling for a draw with Bournemouth in their last Premier League outing.
Arteta made two notable changes for the Atletico match, bringing in Gabriel Martinelli and teenage midfielder Myles Lewis-Skelly. The young academy product justified his selection with a lively performance, providing the assist for Martinelli’s goal during Arsenal’s devastating 14-minute spell in the second half.
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There is optimism that Leandro Trossard and Riccardo Calafiori could return to the starting lineup against Palace, having both featured from the outset in last weekend’s narrow 1–0 win at Fulham. Calafiori has been a mainstay in Arteta’s defence this season, starting all eight league fixtures at left-back, while Trossard only dropped to the bench on Tuesday after four consecutive starts.
Arsenal’s domestic campaign has been nothing short of stellar so far, with the Gunners suffering only one defeat and boasting the league’s best defensive record. That solidity has largely been built around the partnership of Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba, who have anchored a backline that has conceded just three goals in 12 matches across all competitions this season.
Gabriel Magalhaes
Gabriel Magalhaes (Image credit: Getty Images)
However, Arteta confirmed that Gabriel’s substitution in the second half against Atletico was due to a physical issue rather than tactical reasons.
The Brazilian, who scored Arsenal’s opener with a towering header from Declan Rice’s clever free-kick, was replaced by summer signing Cristian Mosquera with just under 20 minutes remaining.
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Speaking at his pre-match press conference on Friday, Arteta revealed that Gabriel has yet to train with the squad since the midweek fixture.
“Big Gabi had to leave the pitch with an issue. He hasn’t been able to train yet,” Arteta said.
Gabriel’s potential absence would represent a major blow for Arsenal ahead of a crucial London derby, as the Gunners look to maintain momentum in both the Premier League title race and their Champions League campaign.
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