Surprise! Gabriel makes shock Arsenal return for Brighton clash | OneFootball

Major boost for Gunners as key defender makes comeback from injury

But Gabriel was spotted with the Arsenal squad on their pre-match walk on Saturday morning and was named on the bench by Mikel Arteta.

Mikel Arteta said before Christmas that Gabriel was yet to return to training and claimed he was “still doing his rehab”.

Gabriel suffered an adductor injury while playing for Brazil in November

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But his return after nine games out is a major boost for the Gunners, who have been hit by several injuries in defence.

Speaking ahead of the Brighton game, Arteta said on Gabriel: “We have to wait and see.

“He hasn't trained yet, so he’s still doing his rehab. But hopefully as quickly as possible [he can be back], because we know the situation now we have in the backline.”

In another boost for Arsenal, Piero Hincapie was fit to start against Brighton.

Hincapie missed the Carabao Cup win against Crystal Palace before Christmas after sustaining a shoulder injury in the 1-0 win at Everton.

With Cristhian Mosquera and Ben White also sidelined, Riccardo Calafiori had to shift to centre-back against Palace.

But Calafiori is back at left-back against Brighton.

Gabriel’s return to fitness is great news for Arsenal ahead of a key run of games in the title race.

After the Brighton game, Arsenal host Aston Villa on Tuesday before an away games at Bournemouth in the New Year. The Gunners then face Liverpool at Emirates Stadium on January 8.