Mikel Arteta hopes to welcome key Arsenal player back for Newcastle clash | OneFootball

Mikel Arteta is hopeful Gabriel can return in time to face Newcastle United on Saturday after picking up an injury against Liverpool.

The defender was removed from the 2-2 draw at the Emirates just before the hour mark after needing treatment on the pitch. It was later revealed the Brazilian had not suffered any serious damage, but no timeframe was given on when he could make the return to Arteta's squad.

Gabriel was not named in the squad that defeated Preston North End 3-0 in the Carabao Cup midweek but could yet feature in defence when Arsenal take on Newcastle in the Premier League.

"We have a training session today," Arteta told reporters on Friday when asked about Gabriel's availability. "If he can complete that, he'll be available. He hasn't had any training sessions yet, but if he's able to do that today, he'll be available to be in the squad."

Gabriel could return to face Newcastle / Visionhaus/GettyImages

Arteta also offered an update on other players in the squad who have missed recent fixtures due to injury.

"Riccardo [Calafiori] and Martin [Odegaard] are out definitely. With Ben [White], we don't know yet. He hasn't trained yet. He could not train, he could not get involved, so let's wait and see if he's available."

While White is not a guaranteed member of Saturday's squad, Arteta offered praise on his performance at centre-back against Liverpool while William Saliba was missing due to suspension.

"That's Ben's quality," he continued. "He can play in those two positions, within those positions he can adapt his role and play different heights, especially in ball possession we're demanding against a very difficult, tricky opponent with very particular duels, especially in that section of the pitch.

"To do that job, when he hasn't played there for over a year, I think he was really good."

Arsenal will host Newcastle on Saturday before facing Inter in the Champions League on Wednesday.