Arsenal have confirmed that Gabriel Magalhaes will be missing for the rest of the season with the hamstring injury he suffered against Fulham in midweek.
The Brazil international pulled up early doors in the 2-1 London derby win, immediately clutching the back of his thigh after sprinting back to try to stop a Cottagers attack.
Mikel Arteta was unsure of the diagnosis of Gabriel's issue at full time, but there was understandably immediate concern over the defender with Real Madrid on the horizon in the Champions League.
Now, the Gunners have confirmed the worst, announcing on Thursday afternoon that Gabriel would miss the rest of the season and would soon undergo surgery to correct the issue.
"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," Arsenal said.
"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."
Which Arsenal games will Gabriel miss?
© Imago
If there would ever be an injury to sum up Arsenal's season, it would be Gabriel's, as the Brazilian joins a handful of fellow Gooners who will not play again before the campaign is done and dusted.
Takehiro Tomiyasu, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus will welcome Gabriel into the long-term medical bay, and the centre-back is guaranteed to miss at least 10 games, potentially more if Arsenal can make it past Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-finals.
However, Gabriel will not be available for either leg against the reigning European champions, as well as Arsenal's remaining eight Premier League games, including the trip to Liverpool (May 11) and home fixture with Newcastle United (May 18) next month.
Mikel Arteta must also find solutions to Gabriel's absence against Everton (April 5), Brentford (April 12), Ipswich Town (April 20), Crystal Palace (April 23), Bournemouth (May 3) and Southampton (May 25) before the campaign concludes.
Who can replace Gabriel at centre-back for Arsenal?
© Imago
Arteta unsurprisingly called on Jakub Kiwior to fill the Gabriel void for the remainder of the derby win over Fulham, and the Poland international is the most natural fit replacement for his South American colleague.
However, there is a reason why Kiwior has only started two Premier League games this season and had not even played a single minute in the top flight in 2025 before Tuesday's game, as the Pole is far from assured in a defensive capacity.
Gabriel's injury would be less problematic had Jurrien Timber and Ben White not suffered fresh concerns as well, as either member of the duo may be preferred to Kiwior as William Saliba's defensive partner, but they are also doubts for the Real Madrid first leg.
The only other avenue Arteta could realistically go down would be to drop Declan Rice in at centre-back, although that would surely be a last resort and is also highly unlikely while Thomas Partey will have to deputise at right-back.
As well as losing Gabriel's defensive nous, the Gunners have lost his prowess at corners just as Bukayo Saka has returned to full fitness, a tale of events that epitomises a torturous campaign.
Ben Knapton
