An injury expert has given an update on Arsenal centre-back Gabriel, after he was brought off during Brazil's 2-0 win against Senegal on Saturday with an injury.
The defender pulled up while running back to defend during the international friendly at the Emirates Stadium. Immediately substituted following the incident, Gabriel appeared to be in serious discomfort, with speculation mounting that it could be a groin injury as he was seen holding the top of his right leg.
Manager Carlo Ancelotti said after the game that he was unsure about the severity of the injury, and that further checks will be done on Sunday. He said: "Bad? I don't know, he had a problem on his adductor, the medical staff have to check tomorrow. We are really sorry for this, really disappointed, when players have an injury I hope they can recover well and soon."
Injury Expert Assesses Gabriel's Injury
Brazil's Gabriel Magalhaes attempts to intercept the ball against Senegal.
International Friendly - Brazil v Senegal - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - November 15, 2024 Brazil's Gabriel Magalhaes and Brazil's Casemiro in action with Senegal's Ismaila Sarr Action Images via Reuters/John Sibley
While Arteta will be waiting for further information from the checks tomorrow, injury expert Physio Scout has given their thoughts on the potential injury. Their assessment stated that injuries closer to the hip are typically more serious, and that while most players could return between one and three weeks, a more severe injury could lead to a prolonged time on the treatment table.
"With groins and hamstrings, injuries closer to the hip (proximal) are generally more concerning than those further down the muscle," they wrote.
"Most groin problems end up being minor, with players back in 1–3 weeks, but the fact that he’s feeling it higher up makes me more cautious here and raises the risk of a Grade 2+ injury."
A grade two injury could result in Gabriel being out for three to six weeks. However, a grade three groin injury would be anywhere from six to eight weeks, and potentially even more.
Check Out Physio Scout's Full Breakdown Below:
That would make the Brazilian a major doubt for Arsenal's first game back after the international break, which is against north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur. The Gunners also have a tough run of games against Bayern Munich, Chelsea, Brentford and Aston Villa beyond that.
Gabriel's absence for those ties would be a big blow to Arteta, as he's been a standout player in the opening 11 league fixtures of the season. Playing a maximum 990 minutes, he has scored once and assisted teammates on two occasions, with him a vital part of their set-piece routines.
His form has helped make Arsenal favourites for the Premier League this term. The Gunners currently sit on 26 points, four clear of second-placed Manchester City. Arteta is likely to turn to Cristhian Mosquera in the Brazilian's absence, while Piero Hincapie might also be an option for the north Londoners.