Arsenal supervisor Mikel Arteta has eased considerations over Gabriel Magalhães after the defender was pressured off throughout the 2-0 Champions League win over Olympiacos on the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday night time.
Gabriel Martinelli opened the scoring early on earlier than substitute Bukayo Saka fired residence in stoppage time to safe a second straight group-stage victory for the Gunners.
Nonetheless, there have been worries when Gabriel required therapy earlier than being changed by Cristhian Mosquera within the seventy fifth minute.
With a Premier League conflict in opposition to West Ham looming on Saturday, fears of an harm setback rapidly grew, however Arteta insists that the change was precautionary.
‘I feel he’s going to be okay,’ the Spaniard informed reporters. ‘He felt one thing—I feel it was a kick, I’m unsure—within the first half and was a bit uncomfortable. He might have carried on, however we didn’t need to take any dangers. He’s performed numerous video games, he’s come from a long-term harm, and we have to take care of him.’
Gabriel featured in simply 28 Premier League video games final season, and Arsenal supporters might be determined to see him declared match forward of Saturday’s London derby in opposition to West Ham.
Enhance
The Brazilian has not solely cast a commanding partnership with William Saliba on the again however has additionally been central to Arsenal’s risk from set items, contributing 14 objectives for the reason that starting of the 2023/24 marketing campaign. His absence at this level would signify a big setback for Mikel Arteta’s title-chasing squad.
The Gunners return to league motion on the Emirates Stadium at 3pm on Saturday, with Gabriel’s health to be intently assessed forward of the conflict.
Early indications seem optimistic, however Arteta might be eager to avoid additional harm issues as his aspect proceed their push on a number of fronts, so no dangers might be taken.
Arsenal have taken 4 victories from their first six Premier League video games (D1 L1) of the brand new season, with their solely dropped factors in that sequence coming in opposition to Liverpool and Manchester Metropolis.
Nevertheless, the North London membership have suffered back-to-back residence defeats to West Ham, and Arteta will hope Gabriel is said match to forestall the Hammers from turning into solely the second aspect — after Manchester Metropolis — to safe three consecutive wins on the Emirates Stadium.
