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Arsenal host Tottenham Hotspur in this weekend’s Premier League clash at the Emirates Stadium.

Ahead of the game, the club are poised to be without one of their undisputed starters.

Gabriel Magalhaes picked up a thigh injury playing for Brazil last week. The centre-back could be out of action for one to two months after the setback.

Hence, there will be an enforced change in the heart of the defence. Here are three ways Arsenal could line up in defence without Gabriel on Sunday.

First Premier League start for Piero Hincapie

The Ecuadorian has made two starts in the Carabao Cup and Champions League since his initial loan move from Bayer Leverkusen this summer.

Hincapie recently started as a left-back for the Gunners in Europe, but he has been most successful in a left central defensive role over the last few years.

The 23-year-old, described as a ‘warrior‘ by manager Mikel Arteta, recently won 100 percent of his duels and tackles against Slavia Prague on the road.

If Arteta wants a natural left-footed option to replace Gabriel, Hincapie could partner William Saliba in the heart of the defence against Tottenham.

Timber, Saliba, Hincapie, Calafiori

Another start for Cristhian Mosquera

Mosquera has already had meaningful playing time in the Premier League. The 21-year-old has managed almost 300 minutes of regular action.

He has primarily played when Saliba has been injured, and could now fill the void left by Gabriel. The left centre-back role won’t be alien to him.

The Spaniard played in the position during his formative years at Valencia, and he could seamlessly slot in if he gets the nod on Sunday afternoon.

The only concern with Mosquera has been his aerial weakness. He has won only 36 percent of his aerial challenges during his debut campaign.

Timber, Saliba, Mosquera, Calafiori

Riccardo Calafiori at centre-back, Myles Lewis-Skelly starts

The other solution could be to start Calafiori on the left side of central defence. He is familiar with the position, having played there for Italy and Bologna.

The Italian has similar traits to Gabriel with his aerial presence and ball-playing ability. He has shown that he can adapt to a more defensive-minded role when with the national team.

If Calafiori is chosen to start over Hincapie and Mosquera at left centre-back, it could open the door for Myles Lewis-Skelly to make his first league start of the season at left-back.

The Gunners graduate’s future has been debated following his recent England axe. The teenager could get the chance to redeem himself with a change of role for Calafiori.

Timber, Saliba, Calafiori, Lewis-Skelly

Stats from Transfermarkt.com & Sofascore.com

Arsenal host arch-rivals Tottenham Hotspur in Sunday’s Premier League game at the Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners are four points ahead of Manchester City at the top of the league table, and will be eyeing a victory over Thomas Frank’s side this weekend.

Ahead of the derby, Riccardo Calafiori has been deemed fit to play. The 23-year-old returned early from international duty last week with a minor hip issue.

He is expected to recover in time for the north London derby.

However, the game may come too soon for striker Viktor Gyokeres, who sustained a muscle injury during the 2-0 win against Burnley on November 1.

HandofArsenal, who broke the exclusive story on Cristhian Mosquera last summer, has revealed that the Swede remains a doubt for the weekend clash.

The Arsenal insider wrote on X: “Viktor Gyökeres remains a doubt for the weekend.”

Gyokeres had one of his best performances in an Arsenal shirt against the Clarets at Turf Moor.

The £66 million-rated star opened the scoring with a fine tap-in before delivering a brilliant long ball for Leandro Trossard, who provided the cross for Declan Rice’s headed goal.

Gyokeres was unfortunately substituted at the break with a muscle injury. He was anticipated to return against Spurs, but it appears that could be delayed.

If that turns out to be the case, Mikel Merino looks poised to lead the line once more.

The Spain international has been impressive as a makeshift striker for Arsenal, chipping in with nine goals and three assists from 18 appearances this year.

Merino does not possess the same physical strength and hold-up play as Gyokeres, but he has excelled with his positioning and aerial prowess in the box.

Manager Mikel Arteta is expected to provide an update in his pre-match presser on Friday, where we could get a hint on which injured player could return.

Alongside Gyokeres, Gabriel Martinelli, Noni Madueke, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Magalhaes are on the sidelines as of now.

Magalhaes may not return until the New Year. He recently suffered a thigh injury on Brazil duty, which could keep him out of action for potentially two months.

Kai Havertz’s comeback could be delayed until late December after Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann confirmed a ‘minor relapse’ in his recovery from a knee injury.

Stats from Transfermarkt.com

Arsenal host Tottenham Hotspur in Sunday’s Premier League game at the Emirates Stadium.

Ahead of the north London derby, the club have received some good news on the injury front.

Riccardo Calafiori recently returned early from international duty due to a hip concern, but reports claim that the left-back is available to face Spurs this weekend.

It is unclear whether Martin Odegaard will be fit after his medial collateral ligament injury, but the Norwegian has provided a positive update before the derby.

Speaking to TV2 before Norway’s game versus Italy yesterday, Odegaard said that he is making progress in his recovery and hopes to return to the playing field soon.

He said: “It’s moving forward. Today’s match [Sunday] came a little too early. But it’s starting to look better, so I will hopefully be back soon.”

Arsenal won’t take any risks with Odegaard, considering he has been sidelined with three separate injuries this term. The £30 million signing may need to build up his fitness before his comeback.

The same could be the case with Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz and Noni Madueke (all knee). Viktor Gyokeres and Gabriel Martinelli seem the likelier candidates to make the matchday squad.

Gyokeres and Martinelli sustained muscle injuries in the lead-up to the last international break. The Gunners anticipate the duo to return for the upcoming derby at home.

Arsenal suffered a minor blip prior to the international break. Their run of 10 straight wins in all competitions ended after a late equaliser by Sunderland on the road (2-2).

As a result, the club saw their Premier League lead over second-placed Manchester City reduce from six to four points.

Arsenal now face a tricky schedule with Spurs, Chelsea, Brentford and Aston Villa to tackle in the next four league games. The Gunners face a stern test of their title credentials.

Ahead of this, the club may have to cope with the absence of Gabriel Magalhaes too. The Brazilian centre-back suffered a thigh injury during Brazil’s friendly against Senegal.

Stats from Transfermarkt.com

Arsenal have received a huge injury boost ahead of the Premier League clash against Tottenham Hotspur next Sunday.

The Gunners are presently four points ahead of second-placed Manchester City in the standings after 11 games into the season.

They have had plenty of forward injuries to deal with, but some of them are expected to return for the upcoming derby at home.

Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli and Noni Madueke could be fit to make the matchday squad against Tottenham.

However, the major boost today is the fitness of left-back Riccardo Calafiori.

The Italy international returned early from international duty this week after missing the Moldova game due to a hip complaint.

Fabrizio Romano has now revealed that the 23-year-old will be available for the Spurs game after further examination by Arsenal.

He wrote on X: “Understand Arsenal check confirm news from last 24h: Riccardo Calafiori will be available for North London Derby. No injury, no issues. Just overload.”

Calafiori has an injury-plagued debut campaign with the Gunners. He was in and out of the starting XI during the 2024/25 season.

However, the £35 million-rated star has turned around his fortunes this season. He has become an undisputed starter in the league ahead of Myles Lewis-Skelly.

The Italian ace has chipped in with one goal and two assists from 11 games, and looks poised to keep his place at left-back against Spurs.

While Calafiori is back and fit, Gabriel Magalhaes is a huge doubt for the derby after sustaining a groin injury playing for Brazil yesterday.

If he is sidelined, manager Mikel Arteta could finally hand Piero Hincapie his first league start alongside William Saliba in central defence.

Hincapie has made just two substitute league appearances since his initial loan move from Bayer Leverkusen on deadline day last summer.

Cristhian Mosquera has been the immediate backup when Saliba has been out. Being left-footed, Hincapie would be a natural replacement for Gabriel in the left centre-back position.

Stats from Transfermarkt.com

Arsenal have been handed a double injury blow ahead of the Premier League clash against Tottenham Hotspur at the Emirates Stadium next weekend.

The Gunners have had several injuries in the forward department in the early months of the season.

They were without Viktor Gyokeres, Gabriel Martinelli, Martin Odegaard, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus and Noni Madueke against Sunderland earlier this month.

Gyokeres, Martinelli, Madueke and Havertz could return for the north London derby, but the Gunners have now suffered a double defensive injury blow.

Riccardo Calafiori trained separately from Italy’s main group due to a hip problem this week. He has returned to London Colney to speed up his recovery.

Meanwhile, Gabriel Magalhaes sustained a groin injury playing for Brazil against Senegal yesterday. He appeared in pain before his 64th-minute substitution.

Calafiori’s concern appears less severe than Gabriel’s, but as things stand, the duo are doubtful to face Tottenham in the north London derby on November 23.

If one of them is sidelined, it could pave the way for Piero Hincapie to finally make his full Premier League debut. He has managed two substitute league appearances so far.

The Ecuadorian, described as a ‘warrior‘ by manager Mikel Arteta, recently got the nod to start over Myles Lewis-Skelly at left-back in the Champions League against Slavia Prague.

Hincapie was brilliant in his maiden European start for Arsenal. He won 100 percent of his duels (8/8) and tackles (2/2) and drew three fouls from the opposition.

Arteta obviously values the £44 million-rated star highly. With Hincapie up to full speed after a groin injury, he could now make his maiden league start for Arsenal.

Calafiori’s issue has been reported to be a minor one, but Gabriel faces a race against time. He could be out for one to three weeks with a grade one groin injury.

We won’t be surprised if Hincapie gets the nod alongside William Saliba in central defence when the Gunners host arch-rivals Spurs at the Emirates on November 23.

Cristhian Mosquera has been the immediate backup in the league, but Hincapie being left-footed would provide a natural replacement for Gabriel in the left centre-back role.

Stats from Transfermarkt.com & Sofascore.com (as of Nov. 16 2025).

Arsenal played out a frustrating 2-2 draw against Sunderland in the Premier League on Saturday.

The Gunners were second-best during the first half at the Stadium of Light, and the Black Cats deserved their 1-0 advantage.

However, the club stepped up after the interval. Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard made it 2-1 with 16 minutes to play.

Arsenal looked on course for a victory, but Brian Brobbey capitalised on a defensive mishap to bag a late 94th-minute equaliser.

As a result, the Gunners saw their advantage at the top reduce from six to four points after Manchester City’s win over Liverpool.

Arsenal will resume their campaign against north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur at the Emirates Stadium after the international break.

The Gunners could be handed a major boost for that game with as many as five injured stars anticipated to return for the derby.

Standard Sport claim that Noni Madueke was in contention to face the Black Cats, but Arsenal did not want to rush him back after his knee injury.

Alongside the Englishman, Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Martinelli could all be fit in time to face Thomas Frank’s side.

Their involvement could depend on the progress made over the next few days.

Gabriel Jesus seems the only likely absentee against Spurs, given he has just returned to training after an 11-month lay-off due to a serious knee injury.

The Brazilian needs more time on the training pitch compared to the short-term absentees, and may not return to action until the middle of December.

Arsenal face a defining festive period

The Gunners were on a sublime 10-match winning streak across all competitions before the unexpected stalemate at Sunderland. They will be bitterly disappointed after conceding a late equaliser.

This has allowed second-placed Manchester City to reduce the deficit to four points while London rivals Chelsea are only six points behind after their victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Arsenal’s title credentials will be tested during the hectic festive schedule. It should be a defining period for the club, and manager Mikel Arteta will be relieved with several forwards poised to return.

Arteta had no experienced attacking options to call upon off the bench last weekend. Mikel Merino, Trossard and Saka made goal contributions, but the manager could not freshen things up.

The returns of Madueke, Gyokeres, Havertz, Martinelli and Odegaard should provide a major boost.

Arsenal’s squad depth was tested to the fullest in three straight away games this month. With the attacking cavalry coming, they should be better placed to sustain their title challenge.

Stats from Transfermarkt.com

Former Arsenal captain William Gallas says it was a no-brainer decision for Eberechi Eze to choose the Gunners over Tottenham Hotspur this summer.

Spurs were close to signing the England international this week, but Arsenal decided to hijack their pursuit after a knee injury to Kai Havertz.

Eze has already agreed on personal terms with the Gunners, and he is expected to undergo his medical tomorrow before penning a long-term deal.

When asked about the move, Gallas said that the 27-year-old has more chances to win trophies at Arsenal despite Spurs’ Europa League success last season.

He said: “If you’re Eze, you don’t want to go from Crystal Palace, where you were the main guy, to move to one of the biggest clubs if you’re not going to play much.

“You don’t want to join a club and become frustrated with your minutes. Eze will try to find the best solution for himself.

“Even if Spurs won the Europa League last year, you probably have more chances to win things at Arsenal over the next few years.

“Does he want to play every week or does he want to get his hands on more trophies?”

Gallas added that Arsenal have no excuses after the huge outlay on new signings.

The Frenchman believes manager Mikel Arteta has sufficient squad depth after the summer spending, and the pressure will be higher on the 43-year-old to deliver trophies this term.

Gallas added: “That is what I and the Arsenal fans were waiting for. They have the striker now in Gyokeres. Right now, they have so many choices.

“If one of the first 11 is injured, Arteta has so many choices. So they don’t have any more excuses. If they don’t win the Premier League, nobody can have any excuses about Arsenal.

“If Arsenal doesn’t win the Premier League this season, I don’t want to hear anything about injuries, or the referee, or a red card.

“Even if Saka or another player gets injured, they need to find a way of working around it.

“So that’s why now I think the pressure will be higher on Mikel Arteta than it has been in the last two years. He’s got to deliver something special for Arsenal this season.”

Arsenal have had an unprecedented summer of spending under Arteta. They have spent more than £260 million on the acquisition of seven players, including Eze.

Viktor Gyokeres, Noni Madueke and Eze have been signed to freshen up the attack. Gyokeres should be an undisputed starter upfront, now that Havertz is injured.

Eze could be seen as a left-wing solution with Martin Odegaard being an undisputed starter in the number 10 position. The same can be said for Madueke too.

Madueke is a specialist right winger, but has been tried on the left wing in his early Arsenal career, as Bukayo Saka is guaranteed to start every game on the right.

Arsenal have had concerns with the lack of game-changing options off the bench in the past, but they no longer have the same issue after the summer transfer activity.

There is solid competition for every attacking position. Arteta has the opportunity to change things, suppose his regular starters have an off day in certain games.

Havertz’s injury leaves the club short up top, but Arteta still has the choice to field Leandro Trossard, Gabriel Martinelli or Mikel Merino if Gyokeres can’t deliver.

Merino can provide the same aerial presence as Havertz in the number nine role on the back of last season’s success. He netted seven goals as a centre-forward.

Hence, an injury or two can’t be termed as an excuse. The onus is on Arteta to end the club’s five-year trophy drought with some form of silverware this campaign.

Gallas was speaking to GamblingZone

Real Madrid star and Arsenal target Rodrygo is not interested in joining Tottenham Hotspur despite reports linking him with Spurs, according to Foot Mercato journalist Santi Aouna.

The Gunners want him and Spurs have also made an inquiry for the Brazilian, but there are no talks ongoing between both parties, with the player not keen on joining them.

Rodrygo wants to move to a bigger club than Tottenham if he leaves Madrid, which will be a boost for Arsenal but a blow for Spurs manager Thomas Frank.

The Gunners have held preliminary talks with his representatives as their coaching staff and manager Mikel Arteta are huge admirers of his versatility and quality.

He can play on both wings and even as a number 9, and Arsenal are keen to do a deal if the conditions are right.

Madrid are open to letting the 24-year-old leave, but they could demand top dollar from suitors for his services, and it remains to be seen whether the Gunners will be able to meet his demands or theirs.

Arsenal have already signed a winger after adding Noni Madueke to their attacking ranks, but they could sign another, and Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze is an option.

He is Premier League-proven and could cost around £68 million – his release clause – and Arteta may need to decide between him and Rodrygo.

Both players are capable of improving the Arsenal attack given their huge quality and what they bring to the table in terms of experience and skillset, but it will take a lot to sign them and whether there is still enough room for the club to complete another big-money signing this summer is unknown.

The Gunners have spent £200m in recent weeks after signing the likes of Victor Gyokeres for £63.5m, Martin Zubimendi for £60m and Madueke for just under £50m, and they will be wary not to fall foul of Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR).