Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is paaping over the fitness of defensive rock Gabriel Magalhaes ahead of Sunday’s Premier League title test at Newcastle.
Brazilian centreback Gabriel sukkelled to finish the Gunners’ 3-1 derby win over Chelsea on Tuesday night, with the medical team making running repairs on the player.
Gabriel was eventually replaced by Rob Holding in the 85th minute, having been partnered with Polish defender Jakub Kiwior in his full Premier League debut.
Defeat this evening.#ArsChe pic.twitter.com/LoKAtsaU1H
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) May 2, 2023
With other first-choice defender William Saliba already missing since the start of April and and Takehiro Tomiyasu ruled out for the season, Arteta is worried about his defensive situation with their title hopes fading.
Of Gabriel, he says: “He wasn’t comfortable.
“We tried for 10 or 15 minutes but he could not carry on which is strange for Gabi.
“So we are a bit concerned about that because normally he’s not one that wants to leave the pitch.”
Earlier, Arsenal were ruthless against Frank Lampard’s Blues as they snapped a four-match winless run.
They race into a 3-0 lead after 34 minutes thanks to a brace from skipper Martin Odegaard, with his 18th and 34th-minute strikes both set up by Granit Xhaka, and close-range finish from Gabriel Jesus.
Noni Madueke pulled one back for the Blues after the break with his first goal for the club after a ball over the top from Mateo Kovacic in the 65th minute.
Noni's first for Chelsea. 👊 pic.twitter.com/FXHvWCnsoQ
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) May 3, 2023
The result moved the Gunners back to top of the league by two points ahead of Manchester City’s home game against West Ham, with the holders still holding a game in hand.