Gabriel injury casts doubt over Arsenal’s clash with West Ham | OneFootball

Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes is a potential absentee for Saturday’s Premier League fixture against West Ham United after sustaining an injury in the Champions League victory over Sporting CP.

The Brazilian centre-back was forced off late in the match after scoring Arsenal’s third goal of the evening, with Jakub Kiwior brought on as his replacement just minutes before full-time.

Speaking post-match, manager Mikel Arteta revealed that Gabriel had experienced discomfort, prompting the substitution.

“We had to make the change because he was feeling some discomfort,” Arteta said. “I was about to bring on Raz [Raheem Sterling], but I couldn’t make the sub. We had to get Gabriel out.”

The injury concern tempered what was otherwise a stellar evening for Arsenal, who delivered their most emphatic Champions League performance in over two decades.

Gabriel Martinelli and Kai Havertz scored early goals to put the Gunners in control before Gabriel’s header capped a dominant first half.

Sporting mounted pressure in the second half but were kept at bay by a series of fine saves from David Raya.

Bukayo Saka added a fourth from the penalty spot after Martin Odegaard was fouled, and Leandro Trossard completed the rout with a late strike.

While Arsenal celebrated the commanding victory, Gabriel’s injury cast a shadow over preparations for their trip to West Ham.

With Ben White already sidelined long-term, Arteta faces a potential defensive reshuffle if Gabriel is unavailable.

Kiwior, who made just his second Champions League appearance on Tuesday, is the most likely candidate to partner William Saliba at the London Stadium.

Alternatively, Riccardo Calafiori could move from left-back to the centre, with Oleksandr Zinchenko potentially slotting in at full-back after gaining minutes off the bench against Sporting.

Arsenal head into Saturday’s clash aiming to build on their recent 3-0 Premier League victory over Nottingham Forest.

However, Arteta will be eager to maintain defensive stability against a West Ham side capable of capitalising on any uncertainty at the back.

With Arsenal pushing to stay in the title race, Gabriel’s fitness will be under close scrutiny in the coming days.

Arteta will be eager for his reliable defender to recover quickly as the Gunners face a pivotal phase of their season.