Brazil released a statement on Sunday to confirm Arsenal defender Gabriel has suffered a thigh injury
Gabriel Magalhaes is a major doubt for Arsenal’s clash with Tottenham Hotspur next Sunday after it was confirmed he has suffered a thigh injury.
The defender hobbled out of Brazil’s friendly with Senegal at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday, sparking fears that he could miss the north London derby.
Manager Carlo Ancelotti confirmed that Gabriel was set for a scan after the match and on Sunday the Brazilian FA released the following statement.
It read: "Arsenal player Gabriel Magalhaes was re-evaluated this Sunday and underwent imaging tests that revealed a muscle injury in his right thigh.
"Therefore, the player will not travel with the team for the match against Tunisia in Lille. No other player will be called up to replace him."
Gabriel has been a crucial part of Arsenal's excellent defensive performances this season. The team are currently four points clear at the top of the Premier League and have only conceded five goals in 11 games.
The Brazilian has formed a formidable partnership with William Saliba in recent years and has become a huge threat from set-pieces too.
If Gabriel is unavailable then the Gunners do have plenty of options as potential replacements. Cristhian Mosquera arrived from Valencia in the summer and deputised for Saliba earlier in the season when he was injured.
Riccardo Calafiori and Jurrien Timber can also operate at centre-back, although both have been superb and left- and right-back respectively so far this season. Piero Hincapie is another option after arriving on loan from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer, but he is yet to start a Premier League game.