BREAKING NEWS: Arsenal Reveal Gabriel Magalhães Injury Update After Olympiacos Clash
Arsenal fans can breathe a sigh of relief as club doctors and Mikel Arteta have finally provided an update on Gabriel Magalhães following the injury scare in Wednesday night’s Champions League victory over Olympiacos.
The Brazilian defender was substituted in the 75th minute of Arsenal’s 2-0 win at the Emirates, sparking fears of a serious setback. Goals from Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka sealed a perfect night for the Gunners, but all eyes were on Magalhães as he limped off the pitch.
Arteta Explains Gabriel’s Substitution
Speaking after the match, Mikel Arteta reassured fans that the change was purely precautionary.
“He was struggling a bit with a kick in the first half, so we took him off. He could have continued, but we decided not to take any risks,” the Arsenal manager confirmed.
This news comes as a relief, given Gabriel’s injury record last season. The 27-year-old only made 28 Premier League starts in 2024/25, and supporters feared another lengthy absence could derail Arsenal’s campaign.
Gabriel’s Importance to Arsenal’s Defence
Over the past two seasons, Gabriel has transformed from Saliba’s supporting partner into one of the best centre-backs in the Premier League. His physicality, aerial dominance, and leadership have made him a cornerstone of Arsenal’s backline.
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Saliba + Gabriel Partnership – The duo is Arteta’s first-choice defensive pairing and among the strongest in Europe.
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Goal Threat – Gabriel has scored 11 league goals since 2022, proving a constant danger from set pieces.
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Consistency – His aggression and resilience provide Arsenal with defensive stability in high-pressure matches.
Many pundits now argue Gabriel is among the world’s elite defenders, with only Virgil van Dijk regularly mentioned in the same breath.
Arsenal’s Defensive Depth Tested
Arteta has been cautious about squad rotation this season. Cristhian Mosquera deputised against Newcastle recently but struggled, highlighting just how vital Gabriel and Saliba are to Arsenal’s title push.
The Gunners have previously suffered from untimely defensive injuries—most notably in 2023, when Saliba’s absence cost them the Premier League crown. This time, however, Arteta has more options at his disposal, giving Arsenal confidence they can withstand setbacks and remain competitive.
When Will Gabriel Return?
The club’s medical team has indicated that Gabriel’s knock is not serious, and he is expected to be available for Arsenal’s London derby against West Ham United this weekend.
If confirmed, that would be a huge boost for Arteta, who is determined to keep momentum after back-to-back Champions League wins.
Final Thoughts
Arsenal’s strong start to the season has fueled hopes of a Premier League title challenge and possibly even a deep Champions League run. Keeping key players like Gabriel Magalhães fit will be essential if the Gunners are to finally end their wait for major European silverware.
For now, fans can relax—their defensive rock is not seriously injured and should be back in action very soon.