Arsenal given boost after latest international break nightmare | OneFootball

Arsenal centre-back Gabriel Magalhaes returned early from international duty this month but, unlike two of his other teammates, the Brazilian defender was not suffering from an injury.

Gabriel lined up alongside Paris Saint-Germain captain Marquinhos against Colombia in a World Cup qualifier on Friday. The towering aerial presence helped Brazil emerge with a 2-1 victory but picked up a suspension-inducing yellow card in the process. As he would play no part in Wednesday's grudge match against Argentina, Gabriel was allowed to return to north London early.

Riccardo Calafiori and Jurrien Timber also left their respective national teams ahead of schedule but for all the wrong reasons.

Calafiori appeared to twist his knee during Italy's Nations League quarter-final defeat to Germany last Thursday. The summer recruit has already missed 14 matches this season with two separate knee injuries and is at risk of enduring another extended spell on the sidelines after awkwardly collapsing to the turf in midweek.

Timber didn't even get onto the pitch for the Netherlands. Illness prevented Ronald Koeman from naming the versatile defender in his squad to face Spain in their Nations League knockout tie and he was sent home before the chaotic second leg in Valencia on Sunday night.

Riccardo Calafiori damaged his knee against Germany in midweek / Alex Grimm/GettyImages

Arsenal are already without full-back Takehiro Tomiyasu until the season's conclusion after the Japan international underwent surgery on a persistent knee injury. Forwards Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus also won't feature until the 2025/26 campaign but there is hope that Bukayo Saka can make his long-awaited return in early April.

While the prolonged absence of Arsenal's first-choice forward line has ultimately underpinned their failed Premier League title title, Mikel Arteta has an abundance of full-backs to choose from. Ben White's return to fitness should compensate for Timber's potential lay-off and Myles Lewis-Skelly, fresh from a record-breaking debut for England against Albania, has arguably risen above Calafiori in the club's pecking order.

The Gunners host London rivals Fulham in the Premier League on April Fool's Day in their first game back after the international break.