- Mikel Arteta faces a significant lineup challenge for the North London derby against Tottenham, as Gabriel Magalhaes’ thigh injury forces him to consider new defensive options like Piero Hincapie or Cristhian Mosquera.
Arsenal will be without star defender Gabriel Magalhaes for the crucial North London Derby against Tottenham after he suffered a devastating thigh injury while on international duty, according to a report from The Mirror.
The injury is severe enough that the 27-year-old Brazilian centre-back could be ruled out of action until January.
The loss is a significant setback for Arsenal, who are currently “setting the pace at the top of the division” and sit “eight points ahead” of their closest rivals, currently in fifth place.
Gabriel has been an ever-present figure for Mikel Arteta this term, having started “all 11 Premier League matches” and “not missed a minute.” Arteta is now “forced into making an alteration for the clash against Thomas Frank’s Tottenham”.
The Gunners boss is facing a key decision over personnel. Among the internal options are summer signings Piero Hincapie, an Ecuador international who can play centrally or on the left, and Cristhian Mosquera. The 21-year-old Mosquera has previously received praise from the manager.
Speaking in September, Arteta said: “It’s not easy to adapt to the league, to adapt to a new way of playing, but Mosquera is a great example.
I think what he did against Liverpool, being thrown out there after three minutes at Anfield in your first exposure in the Premier League, is very difficult to do.
I think he was superb today again.” Mosquera has already played alongside Saliba this season in the Carabao Cup victory over Port Vale, offering a potential solution to the defensive void.