A day ago
Gabriel is a doubt for Arsenal's huge Premier League clash with Manchester United on Wednesday.
The influential Brazil centre-back won his race to be fit for Saturday's trip to West Ham after limping out of the impressive 5-1 UEFA Champions League win over Sporting CP in midweek.
Once again, Gabriel showed his prowess when attacking set-pieces by heading home an early opener from Bukayo Saka's right-wing corner.
Once again, Gabriel showed his prowess when attacking set-pieces by heading home an early opener from Bukayo Saka's right-wing corner.
That set in motion a frantic first half, which ended with Arsenal 5-2 in front. Not only was the interval the end of the goalscoring, it was also the end of Gabriel's participation.
Speaking after the match, Mikel Arteta confirmed a recurrence of the issue that forced the 26-year-old off in Lisbon, as opposed to any side effects from being clattered by West Ham goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski for the penalty that Saka dispatched for the Gunners' fifth goal.
"It was related to the previous injury that he had in Lisbon," Arteta said. "Obviously he did great to be part of that but with the result and the niggle that he's feeling we decided to take him off."
Victory moved Arsenal to within five points of Liverpool at the summit. The leaders face champions Manchester City at Anfield on Sunday.
All of the title favourites have already been hit by injury problems this season and Gabriel is not Arteta's only fresh concern coming out of the West Ham game.
Riccardo Calafiori hobbled off to be replaced by Oleksandr Zinchenko at left-back, while Jorginho started at the base of the midfield following late withdrawals from Mikel Merino (knee) and Thomas Partey (muscular).
Nevertheless, Arteta was heartened by the performances put in by Jakub Kiwior and his other injury replacements with United's visit to Emirates Stadium on the horizon.
"We had an issue with Gabby and then we had an issue with Ricci as well," he added. "Yesterday, we lost Thomas and Mikel and Myles [Lewis-Skelly], which was very bad news.
"What I'm really happy about is Jakub has to come in and does really well. Oleks the same. Jorginho I thought was exceptional today.
"That's the level. Every three days we're going to need everyone at their best and it's a good sign that the team can do that."
Total Comments: 0