The Gunners' Key Center-Back Gabriel Could Be Out for no Less than Four Weeks with Thigh Injury

Arsenal fear that defender Gabriel Magalhães could be unavailable for a minimum of one month after suffering a thigh problem while with the national team in the past few days.

Gabriel had to be substituted during the Seleção's triumph against Senegal in a friendly at the North London venue on the weekend and has since returned to his club for further examinations.

Club examinations are continuing, and Arsenal have yet to disclose the exact extent of the defender's absence.

That said, he is not anticipated to feature for the key clash with Tottenham on Sunday or the European fixture with the German giants just later.

Possible Absence and Key Matches

There are concerns that the defender could miss a minimum of one month, possibly more, based on the nature of the issue.

That could rule him out of key vital matches, such as:

• Domestic matches against Chelsea and Brentford at home
• An road match to face Aston Villa
• The Champions League match at Brugge on December 10th

Mikel Arteta's team—that currently have a four-point lead over City—then meet Wolverhampton at the Emirates before a rearranged fixture to Goodison Park on December 20th.

Major Setback for The Championship Challenge

Being without such an influential player is a significant setback for Arsenal in their title challenge.

This center-back has played each minute of the top-flight season so far and is crucial to a defense that has conceded only five times in 11 outings.

Before the recent 2-2 draw at the Stadium of Light, the side had recorded eight consecutive shutouts in all competitions.

Replacement Options and Other Injury Concerns

Mosquera and other summer arrival Hincapié are in the frame to fill in for the Brazilian against Spurs.

There are also doubts over whether forward Viktor Gyökeres will return to lead the line after missing the club's last two fixtures before the international break due to a hamstring injury.

Meanwhile, Germany manager Nagelsmann said that Kai Havertz has suffered a “slight setback” during his comeback from a knee injury.

While Mikel Arteta had been optimistic about the attacker's comeback soon, the national team boss indicated that the German is now expected to return in late December.

Team Tested to the Maximum

The club experienced their championship push hurt previously by a series of injuries and spent heavily in the summer to reinforce the squad.

However, with captain Martin Ødegaard additionally on the absentee list—along with Noni Madueke and Martinelli—the squad is feeling the pressure significantly.