Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta sounded bleak about centre-back Gabriel Magalhaes’ potential injury in the 2-1 FA Cup quarter-final loss at Southampton on Saturday (April 4).
The Gunners fell behind at St. Mary’s, thanks to a 35th-minute Rob Stewart strike before Viktor Gyokeres came off the bench to level proceedings midway through the second period. However, Shea Charles’s winner five minutes from time eliminated Mikel Arteta’s side, who had lost 2-0 to Manchester City in the EFL Cup final last month.
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The defeat was soured by Gabriel, 28, going off in the 73rd minute, with his right knee later seen with an ice pack, having not featured in last month’s international break with Brazil. Commenting on the defender’s condition, Arteta said (as per Metro):
“‘I don’t know. He felt something, we don’t know exactly what it is. But when a player asks to be substituted, it is not ideal.”
Having missed 10 games this season while getting injured on international duty with Brazil during the November international break, Gabriel could see another spell on the sidelines while the Gunners remain alive in two other competitions.
The Sao Paulo native has played 39 times across competitions this campaign for the Gunners, contributing four goals and five assists and helping keep 21 clean sheets.
What’s next for Arsenal?
Despite their hopes of a quadruple dashed last month, Arsenal could still end the season strongly strongly, having reached successive UEFA Champions League semi-finals and being the runaway Premier League leaders.
Following their defeat to Southampton at St. Mary’s in the FA Cup semi-final on Saturday, Mikel Arteta’s side turn their attention to the Champions League, where they travel to Sporting CP on Tuesday (April 7) for the quarter-final first leg.
Four days later, they return to league action against AFC Bournemouth at home, leading the standings by nine points with seven games remaining, having played a match more.
The Gunners haven’t won the league title since their memorable ‘Invincibles’ triumph under legendary manager Arsene Wenger 22 years ago. Meanwhile, in the Champions League, Mikel Arteta’s side are chasing their first title, having lost 2-1 to Barcelona in the 2006 final.
Edited by Bhargav
