Mikel Arteta is waiting with concern for the fitness of the four defenders ahead of next week’s first Champions League quarterfinals.
The gunners were boosted by Buka Yosaka’s return, scoring in just seven minutes to an Arsenal comeback, but they lost Gabriel Magalges to an apparent hamstring injury.
The Brazilian defender was replaced just 16 minutes into the game after pulling up while sprinting towards his own goal. The centre-back was seen lying across the grass with the back of his right leg clenched, then distorted as he was replaced by Jakub Kiwior.
Meanwhile, Julian Timber was kicked out with a knee injury during a 2-1 victory at Fulham at Emirates Stadium.
Image: Emile Smith Lowe took on former teammate for the Emirates
Also due to concerns about the fitness of Ben White and Riccardo Calafioli, who missed a match against Fulham, leaving the potential defensive injury crisis just days away from a critical clash with Real at Emirates Stadium on Tuesday.
With the defender’s injury, Arteta said: “Gabi felt something in his hamstrings. I don’t know how big it was. He was already struggling very early in the game.
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You can see: highlights from Arsenal’s victory over Fulham in the Premier League.
“The good thing is that it was like this throughout the season. The way we were able to become where we are with all these injuries is not participating at all this season. It’s what that is.
“You can imagine these four players being on the defensive line in a week. So, Carafioli, Ben White, Julien, Gabriel. We still have four more people who we hope they do their job.
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Mikel Arteta responded to Arsenal’s 2-1 victory over Fulham, seeing Bukayo Saka return from his injury shortly after coming from the bench, but the outcome was hidden by concerns about his injury to Gabriel.
Arsenal has suffered hamstring injuries to Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Kai Herberts this season.
Saka returned to the bench for Tuesday’s league match, but Arteta has been hit by new defensive hits at a critical time.
“Gabriel’s injury is bad news for Arsenal”
Tim Sherwood responded to Gabriel’s injury in the football special:
“Gabriel holds his hamstring and needs to get off…this doesn’t look good, this is really bad news for Arsenal.
“He’s not the first player to hamstring in an attempt to chase after Traore!”
Analysis: Sour Arsenal Wins on Injuries
Sky Sports ‘Nick Light:
Saka’s goal scored on his fifth touch seven minutes after his introduction, providing a moment of tasting home fans, but Gabriel’s retreat and a timber moment later in the game cast a shadow on their night.
Gabriel, whose partnership with William Saliba became Arsenal’s main asset, looked discouraged as he limped around the pitch and down the tunnel. His absence against Real Madrid will hit Arsenal’s Champions League chances a major blow.
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It looks like the latest in a series of hamstring injuries on Mikel Arteta’s side. The gunners hope Gabriel’s injuries aren’t as severe as Saka’s injuries, who missed three months, and Kai Herberts, who was ruled out for the season after breaking down in February.
An enforced alternative to Timber, who knocked on the knee in the first half, added another concern to Arteta, who lost the potential losses of the four defenders over the course of several days.
Arsenal’s Next Four Games
Saturday, April 5th: Everton (a), PL Tuesday, April 8th: Real Madrid (H), CL Saturday, April 12th: Brentford (H), PL 16th: Real Madrid (a), CL
How long can Gabriel go out?
Arsenal is desperately hoping that Gabriel’s hamstring injury is not as serious as what Bukayosaka and Kaihaberts suffered earlier this season.
However, even a grade 1 hamstring damage, tension or pull that has little damage to the muscle fibers can take 2-3 weeks to heal.
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Gabriel had to leave during a match with Fulham after suffering what appears to be a hamstring injury.
That absent length could still dominate Gabriel from both feet with Arsenal’s Champions League doubleheader Real Madrid.
Damage to the hamstrings in second or third grade means tears to the muscles, usually for months rather than weeks rather than weeks.
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Both Havertz and Saka needed surgery and Saka returned to the team for the first time on Tuesday night and suffered an injury in December.
Arsenal will target a clash with Real Madrid on April 8th between Everton and Brentford in the Premier League on either side of Game 1 next week. The second race will be held on April 16th.
ARTETA: Saka lifted the stadium
Image: Bukayosaka marked Arsenal’s return with goals
But the big positive for Arsenal’s night was Saka’s return.
Saka scored on an injury comeback with Fulham at the Emirates, finishing his 101 days of absence, when he came out of the bench just after the time mark.
England International was on the pitch for just seven minutes when they doubled Arsenal’s advantages before going to the dugout to accept members of the club’s medical staff during the celebration.
“I think it’s a beautiful moment to see how much our people love, respect and admire Bukayo,” Arteta said. “He’s not a surprise to any of us. I think the best example is his reaction. What will he do right after scoring the goal?
“He goes and thank you for all the effort he has made to ensure that everyone in Sports Science, the physio and everyone involved in recovery can be in his condition for him.
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Tim Sherwood analyses Arsenal’s performance against Fulham, who scored when Bukayo Saka returned from injury.
Saka, Martinelli offers positives among Arsenal injuries issues
Sky Sports’ Nick Wright at Emirates Stadium:
Saka only needed seven minutes to mark a return to action at the goal. His close range header from Gabriel Martinelli’s flick proved decisive in Arsenal’s 2-1 victory at Fulham.
The 23-year-old was first introduced since December after his hamstring injury and was given a enthusiastic reception when he appeared as a replacement, but the celebration that followed his goal was another. “He lifted energy in the stadium,” Arteta said.
Saka looked sharp, so did Mattinelli. Mattinelli was one of five opportunities created in the game with an acrobatic flick from Mikel Merino’s cross to set Saka’s goals. No one has created more than two people. Fulham struggled to contain him in Arsenal’s left flank.
Like Saka, Martinelli has endured the issues of injury this season, but his return to form, coupled with Saka’s return, assisting with 23 goals combined with Arsenal’s total of 23 goals this season, guarantees an increase in firepower for future challenges.
