Arsenal have confirmed a significant setback ahead of their highly anticipated North London derby against Tottenham Hotspur: Gabriel Magalhães will be sidelined for “weeks” after picking up a thigh injury while on international duty with Brazil. Manager Mikel Arteta delivered the confirmation in a somber tone, calling the 27-year-old centre-back “the leader of our back line.”
The injury occurred during a Brazil friendly against Senegal at the Emirates Stadium, where Gabriel limped off midway through the match.
Subsequent scans have confirmed a muscle issue in his right thigh, prompting Arsenal to plan for further evaluations. Arteta said another scan is scheduled for next Wednesday, which should provide a more precise timetable for his return.
This absence comes at a precarious time for Arsenal. Gabriel has been a mainstay of their defence this season, forming a formidable partnership with William Saliba. Under his influence, the Gunners have conceded just five goals in their first 11 Premier League matches — a defensive record central to their run at the top of the table.
Losing such a stabilising presence, even temporarily, is widely viewed as a major blow for Arteta’s side ahead of a crucial stretch in their campaign.
Arteta was frank about the challenge: “To miss him is never a positive thing,” he said, acknowledging both the magnitude of the loss and the responsibility now falling to the rest of the squad.
Despite the setback, the manager expressed confidence in his backups. He pointed to Piero Hincapié and Cristhian Mosquera, both brought in this season, as viable deputies who now must rise to the occasion.
The timing of Gabriel’s injury is especially delicate. Beyond the North London derby, Arsenal face a tough run of fixtures, including a Champions League clash with Bayern Munich and a trip to Chelsea.
Arteta also revealed other injury concerns in the squad: Riccardo Calafiori remains a doubt due to a hip issue, while Martin Ødegaard, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli, Viktor Gyökeres, and Noni Madueke are all on the treatment table.
For Tottenham, Gabriel’s absence represents a major opportunity. The derby is set to be played at the Emirates, and without one of Arsenal’s defensive lynchpins, Spurs may see a more open contest than usual. Arsenal’s replacement pairing will need to be both composed and effective — not only to fill Gabriel’s boots, but to maintain the defensive solidity that has underpinned their title push.
