Arsenal to assess Gabriel injury as Riccardo Calafiori hopes rise | OneFootball

Gunners are sweating over the fitness of two key defenders

Gabriel picked up the injury on Saturday during Brazil’s 2-0 win over Senegal at Emirates Stadium.

The 27-year-old limped off with just under 30 minutes to play and he will not travel with the Brazil squad for their friendly against Tunisia in Lille on Tuesday.

Gabriel will instead be assessed by Arsenal’s medical staff this week ahead of Sunday’s north London derby against Tottenham.

The clash is the first of three big games for the Gunners, who host Bayern Munich next week before travelling to Chelsea.

Gabriel was forced off during the second half against Senegal

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Arsenal will be desperately hoping that Gabriel’s injury is not serious because he has been one of their best players this season.

In a statement on Sunday, the Brazilian Football Federation said: “Arsenal player Gabriel Magalhaes was re-evaluated this Sunday and underwent imaging tests that revealed a muscle injury in his right thigh.

If Gabriel is out of Sunday’s north London derby, one of Cristhian Mosquera, Piero Hincapie or Riccardo Calafiori will replace him.

Calafiori did not play either game for Italy last week, but there is optimism that the hip pain he experienced is not serious.

Riccardo Calafiori joined up with Italy squad nursing a hip injury

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The 23-year-old has excelled at left-back for Arsenal this season, however he could shift across and play in the heart of defence.

Mikel Arteta will hold his pre-match press conference later this week, when he should give an update on Calafiori and Gabriel.

The Arsenal boss has previously said how he was hopeful that Kai Havertz, Martin Odegaard and Noni Madueke could be back for the north London derby. All three players have been out of action with knee injuries.

Gabriel Jesus has returned to full training, but is unclear when he will be match fit after last playing in January.

Declan Rice was taken off after an hour during England’s victory in Albania, while Bukayo Saka only played 30 minutes off the bench.