By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta says he expects Gabriel Magalhães to be out for weeks with the thigh injury sustained on international duty.
The centre-back limped off in visible discomfort during Brazil’s friendly against Senegal at Emirates Stadium last weekend and was ruled out of the draw against Tunisia three days later.
The 27-year-old has been in a fine form for the Gunners, being a key part of a defence that has conceded just five league goals so far this season as they have opened a four-point lead at the top of the table.
“Gabi is going to be out for weeks,” said Arteta, who added that the defender will have another scan next Wednesday, which should give a clearer timeframe of how long he will be out for.
“It’s clearly a blow because he’s our leader in our backline and to me it’s never a positive thing,” added Arteta. “The good thing is that we have very good options and people have to stand up now and do the job.”
Piero Hincapie and Cristhian Mosquera are both in contention to deputise for Gabriel when Arsenal host rivals Tottenham on Sunday (16:30 GMT).
Gabriel, a £23.1m signing from Lille in 2020, has started all 11 of Arsenal’s Premier League matches this term.
Swedish striker Viktor Gyokeres remains unavailable with a hamstring problem.
Meanwhile Chelsea’s Cole Palmer will be absent for another week because he fractured his toe when he stubbed it on a door on Wednesday night.
The England forward was set to resume first-team training this week after two months out with a groin injury.
But the 23-year-old will remain out for slightly longer because of the injury to the small toe on his favoured left foot.
He will miss the Blues’ next three fixtures – Saturday’s Premier League game at Burnley, Tuesday’s Champions League fixture against Barcelona and next weekend’s match at home to Arsenal.
“He is probably not available for Saturday for sure, Barcelona for sure or Arsenal for sure,” said Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca.
“Unfortunately, he had an accident at home where he hit his toe. It is nothing important, but he won’t be back in the next week.
Palmer’s most recent appearance was during Chelsea’s 2-1 defeat at Manchester United on 20 September. The Blues have played 11 games in all competitions since then – winning eight and losing two – and sit third in the Premier League table.