ARSENAL defender, Gabriel Magalhaes, has been ruled out for the rest of the season after suffering an injury versus Fulham on Tuesday.
The Brazilian is set to go under the knife as his hamstring requires surgery.
The Gunners do not expect their central defender to be in contention to return until the start of next season. The news comes as an additional blow for Mikel Arteta who also saw Jurrien Timber forced off in the clash against the Cottagers.
Gabriel was replaced after just 16 minutes at the Emirates after being forced to pull-up as he raced back to defend. The 27-year-old, who has formed a formidable partnership alongside William Saliba in recent season, was replaced by Jakub Kiwior with the likes of Ben White and Riccardo Calafiori already out injured.
The former Lille star will undergo surgery in the coming days, Arsenal have confirmed. He will begin a rehabilitation programme that will see him target the start of 2025/26 for his return to action.
A statement from Arsenal said: “Further to being substituted during our match against Fulham on Tuesday, we can confirm that Gabriel Magalhaes has sustained a hamstring injury which requires surgery.
“Gabi will undergo a surgical repair procedure to his hamstring in the coming days, and immediately begin his recovery and rehabilitation programme, with the aim to be ready for the start of next season.
“Everyone at the club will be fully focused on supporting Gabi to ensure he is back to full fitness as soon as possible.”
Arsenal are short of defenders for their backline ahead of their Champions League clash against Real Madrid and will also have to hope they can come through their Premier League match with Everton unscathed.
Midfielder Thomas Partey could be forced to drop back into a back four if Timber cannot prove his fitness and Kiwior partners Saliba in the centre, with Myles Lewis-Skelly at left-back.
Even before the severity of the issue was confirmed, Arsenal legend, Ian Wright, lamented his expected absence. The former striker described Gabriel’s injury as a ‘massive blow’.
Wright told Premier League Productions: “It is very concerning because for me, the way he’s pulled up, that’s not two weeks. That’s like six weeks at least, could be out for the season, depending on what happens with Arsenal.
“But that’s a massive blow for us, with him and without him there’s a massive difference. He is someone that is vital to what Arsenal are doing.”
Arsenal have been plagued by hamstring issues this term. Bukayo Saka after requiring an operation on a tear he suffered and missed 101 days of action, while Kai Havertz suffered a season-ending hamstring injury in February that needed surgery.
Gabriel Martinelli has also endured hamstring problems and missed a month of action with an issue picked up in February.
