Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta confirmed that defender Gabriel will miss “weeks” with a groin injury, while captain Martin Odegaard and five other players are hopeful of returning for Sunday’s North London derby against Tottenham.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed a significant blow to his squad, with defender Gabriel set to miss “weeks” through injury, according to a report from Standard.co.uk.
The influential centre-back picked up an adductor issue (groin injury) while playing for Brazil in a friendly against Senegal last weekend.
Ahead of Sunday’s north London derby showdown with Tottenham, the Gunners boss provided an update on his seven-man injury list.
Speaking on Gabriel’s absence, Arteta said: “Gabi unfortunately picked up an injury with the Brazilian national team. He is going to be out for weeks. We need to have another scan, I think it is next Wednesday.
We will have the timeline much more clearer then.” Subsequent reports had suggested fears that Gabriel could be sidelined until January.
Despite the setback, there is positive news regarding the potential return of captain Martin Odegaard, who sustained a knee injury in early October shortly after returning from a shoulder complaint. Standard Sport understands Odegaard is hoping to play against Tottenham.
Arteta is also hopeful for a raft of returnees, including a quintet of previously injured team-mates: key striker Viktor Gyokeres, Noni Madueke, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli, and Gabriel Jesus
The manager remarked, “Tomorrow we have another session, see how they are feeling. I am hopeful that we can make another step tomorrow.”
Another concern is versatile defender Riccardo Calafiori, who withdrew from the Italy camp with a hip problem.
“He missed it (the international break),” Arteta said of Calafiori. “He has been carrying a few things. He hasn’t trained yet. Tomorrow we have another training session, let’s see how he is.”
The final training session on Saturday will determine the availability of the returning players.