Arsenal face a nervous wait as they seek to learn whether Gabriel will be fit for Sunday’s north London derby.
The centre-back injured his thigh playing for Brazil in their 2-0 win over Senegal on Saturday and has withdrawn from the squad ahead of their friendly against Tunisia on Tuesday.
Arsenal medical staff are due to assess Gabriel this week to determine the extent of his injury.
He has been one of Arsenal’s best players this season and it would be a huge blow if he is not fit to face Tottenham at Emirates Stadium on Sunday.
Gabriel suffered a thigh injury playing for Brazil on Saturday
Getty Images
Here, Standard Sport looks at how the Gunners could line up without Gabriel…
Start Hincapie for just the third time
Gabriel being out would leave a huge hole in Arsenal’s defence, but Piero Hincapie could be the man to fill it.
The Ecuador international has had a disrupted start to his time in north London after arriving on loan from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer.
A groin injury has kept Hincapie out of action and he has started just two games for Arsenal.
But Mikel Arteta has spoken about the 23-year-old in glowing terms and described him as a “warrior”.
Piero Hincapie could slot in alongside William Saliba
Arsenal FC via Getty Images
Hincapie is capable of playing at left-back but his preferred position is centre-back and his idol growing up was Spain legend Sergio Ramos.
Given he is left footed, Hincapie could slot in alongside William Saliba in the heart of Arsenal’s defence and provide them with balance.
Hincapie is an aggressive, front-footed defender and, in that sense, he is the most like-for-like replacement when it comes to covering for Gabriel.
Possible XI (4-3-3): Raya; Timber, Saliba, Hincapie, Calafiori; Eze, Zubimendi, Rice; Saka, Merino, Trossard
Shift Calafiori into the heart of defence
Arteta could be wary about starting Hincapie on Sunday given his lack of game time this season.
An alternative solution would be to move Riccardo Calafiori from left-back to centre-back.
Calafiori has started all 11 of Arsenal’s Premier League games this season at left-back, but he can operate as a centre-back.
Riccardo Calafiori could shift from left-back
Arsenal FC via Getty Images
The 23-year-old played there early on in his career and is often used by Italy in that position. He also had minutes as a centre-back for Arsenal in pre-season.
If Calafiori was shifted inside, it would mean one of Hincapie or Myles Lewis-Skelly coming in at left-back.
Arteta could be reluctant to do that as it would mean moving two pieces of what has been a very successful back four.
Arsenal have conceded just five goals in all competitions this season and Calafiori’s performances at left-back have been a key reason for that.
Possible XI (4-3-3): Raya; Timber, Saliba, Calafiori, Lewis-Skelly; Eze, Zubimendi, Rice; Saka, Merino, Trossard
Trust Mosquera in a big game, again
Arteta showed how much faith he had in Cristhian Mosquera back in August when Arsenal travelled to Anfield.
Saliba suffered an injury in the opening five minutes and Arteta’s answer was to turn to Mosquera.
It was a big call from the Arsenal boss given the 21-year-old only moved to England in the summer in a £13million deal from Valencia.
Cristhian Mosquera can play as a left-sided defender
Getty Images
But Mosquera held his own against Liverpool and he has impressed whenever called upon this season.
The Spaniard is right footed but is comfortable playing as a left-sided defender having done so for Valencia.
Mosquera and Saliba have played together this season, starting alongside each other in September when Arsenal travelled to Port Vale in the Carabao Cup.
Mosquera would bring pace to Arsenal’s defence and he is also comfortable on the ball.
The only drawback is that he is not left footed, unlike alternative options Calafiori and Hincapie.
Possible XI (4-3-3): Raya; Timber, Saliba, Mosquera, Calafiori; Eze, Zubimendi, Rice; Saka, Merino, Trossard
