Arsenal fear Gabriel could be out until JANUARY as concern for Mikel Arteta grows

Arsenal have been rocked by the news that defender Gabriel Magalhaes has suffered a knee injury which could rule him out of action for several weeks

Arsenal are reportedly worried that key defender Gabriel Magalhaes will be sidelined until January due to injury. The centre-back was seen hobbling off during Brazil’s match against Senegal on Saturday afternoon.

Gabriel and William Saliba have emerged as a formidable defensive pair for Arsenal in recent seasons. The Gunners’ centre-back duo have only conceded a meagre five goals in the Premier League so far this season, significantly contributing to Mikel Arteta’s side holding a four-point lead at the top of the table.

Their partnership at the back is widely considered the best in English football, as Arsenal chase their first league title since 2004. However, Arsenal’s impressive defence looks set to be impacted amid worries that Gabriel will be out for several weeks.

BBC Sport report that initial fears suggest the 27-year-old will miss at least four weeks. It is alleged that the defender’s absence could extend to January.

The exact severity of Gabriel’s injury and the timeline for recovery will reportedly be determined in the coming days. The Brazilian is currently undergoing further assessment, but is expected to miss Sunday’s north London derby against Tottenham Hotspur and several other fixtures across the rest of 2025.

Gabriel’s reaction spoke volumes after being withdrawn with the injury on Saturday, as he buried his face in his shirt in disappointment whilst leaving the field. Brazil boss Carlo Ancelotti initially indicated Gabriel had picked up an adductor problem, but medical examinations revealed he had damaged his knee.

This development follows another defensive blow, with Riccardo Calafiori compelled to abandon his international commitments with Italy and head back to London.

Italian media outlets confirmed the defender left the Italy squad on Saturday, ruling him out of his country’s 2026 World Cup qualifier against Norway on Sunday night.

He will now travel back to London, where Arsenal’s medical team will evaluate his condition. Italy manager Gennaro Gattuso said: “He tried to be available but he can’t force now,” when discussing Calafiori’s predicament.

Arsenal’s medical personnel are understood to have been informed of Calafiori’s return to the capital, with the club not expecting any major complications.

Elsewhere, Norway manager Stale Solbakken reckons Arsenal skipper Martin Odegaard remains “some distance away” from his own comeback.

Gabriel Jesus is also expected to make his return before the new year, after undergoing ACL surgery in late January.

Additionally, Viktor Gyokeres and Gabriel Martinelli are both recovering from hamstring and groin problems they sustained prior to the November international break.

Arteta’s side have secured eight victories, drawn twice and suffered just one defeat in the league thus far. Their sole loss was at Anfield against Liverpool, due to a second-half free-kick from Dominik Szoboszlai.