When can Arsenal expect Gabriel back after surgery? | OneFootball

Gabriel Magalhaes is set for hamstring surgery after being withdrawn during Arsenal’s 2-1 defeat at Craven Cottage on Tuesday, the club has confirmed.

He will now be sidelined until next season.

Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

Arsenal announced: “Further to being substituted during our match against Fulham on Tuesday, we can confirm that Gabriel Magalhaes has sustained a hamstring injury which requires surgery. Gabi will undergo a surgical repair procedure to his hamstring in the coming days, and immediately begin his recovery and rehabilitation programme, with the aim to be ready for the start of next season. Everyone at the club will be fully focused on supporting Gabi to ensure he is back to full fitness as soon as possible.”

The timing is far from ideal. Gabriel, who has made 42 appearances for Arsenal this season, had become the bedrock of Mikel Arteta’s defensive line. His absence throws Arsenal’s preparations for their Champions League quarter-final into flux.

Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

The nature of a surgical hamstring repair procedure suggests a high-grade tear or avulsion – where the tendon is either significantly damaged or detached from the bone. Unlike conservative rehab which might involve weeks of rest and progressive loading, surgery addresses instability, reattaches torn tissue, and reinforces the integrity of the muscle-tendon unit.

It’s invasive, but in high-performing athletes like Gabriel, it dramatically reduces re-injury risk and ensures long-term performance preservation.

Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

Post-operative rehab is extensive. In the first weeks, focus is placed on inflammation control and passive mobility, often under cryotherapy and guided physiotherapy. From there, Gabriel will enter a progressive loading protocol – controlled resistance, isometric work, neuromuscular activation and eventually, football-specific drills.

A staged return-to-sport model will be employed, with GPS and strength metrics guiding every step.

Though the club has issued a broad timeline aiming for a return at the start of next season, the average recovery from such surgery is typically between 12 and 16 weeks, assuming no complications. That means Gabriel will miss the business end of the season and likely much of Arsenal’s summer preperation.

In Arsenal’s high-stakes run-in, his absence will be keenly felt.

Gabriel Magalhaes celebrating Corinthians’ trophy success in the Campeonato Paulista

Interestingly, after receiving a yellow card while on international duty with Brazil on March 21st, Gabriel served a suspension and had no games for 11 days. He spent time in Brazil, even attending a Corinthians match on March 27th as a spectator.

Some have speculated that this sudden interruption to his rhythm – transitioning from high-intensity match cycles to rest, and then straight back into Premier League action – may have contributed to the injury. Muscle-tendon units adapt to continuous stress, and abrupt deviations can expose them to overload when intensity resumes.

Whatever the cause, the consequences are immediate. Arsenal, already managing thin margins in the Premier League and Europe, will be forced to recalibrate.

As one of the club’s most reliable figures this season, his leadership and defensive presence will be difficult to replicate. Arsenal’s depth will now be tested. Again.