EMOTIONAL MOMENT Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta broke down in tears during press conference today as another big injury emerges, He’s set to be without THREE KEY players ahead Everton Trip on Sunday
Arsenal have been handed a huge boost over the fitness of Gabriel Magalhaes ahead of this weekend’s Premier League trip to Everton.
The 25-year-old made his international debut for the Brazil national team over the weekend in their World Cup qualifying win over Bolivia. Gabriel partnered Paris Saint-Germain centre-back Marquinhos in defence as the five-time world champions ran-out 5-1 winners.
However, the high of making his national team debut was somewhat dampened when he was spotted having ice applied to his right thigh after being replaced by Roger Ibanez in the 85th minute.
There was no indication over the severity of the knock by the Brazil FA, prompting a brief scare for the Gunners. However, the north Londoners have been handed a huge boost in their hopes of having Gabriel back for the visit to Goodison Park.
According to journalist Charles Watts, the defender took part in Brazil training and is expected to start against Peru on Tuesday. Reports out of the Brazil camp have suggested that the defender’s scan on his thigh problem showed no sign of any injury, meaning he should return to London Colney unscathed.
Arteta will, however, be without Jurrien Timber and Thomas Partey. Timber is expected to spend a long period of time on the sidelines after undergoing successful surgery from his ACL operation while Partey sustained a groin injury ahead of the win over Man United.
“Huge blow. Especially for him after just joining the club,” Arteta said on Timber. “To have the injury he has is a huge blow. We recruited him with clear intentions and what he was bringing to the team was evident, but he’s not going to be able to do it this season. We have to adapt. These things happen, unfortunately, and we have to move on.”
“I don’t know. Unfortunately, he [Partey] got injured in training,” the Gunners boss continued. “It doesn’t look good. I believe he’ll be out for a few weeks. It’s more a groin.”
Midfielder Mohamed Elneny continues to be out after suffering a serious knee injury at the start of the year.
