Blow For Arteta – Key Arsenal Duo Forced Off With Injury In EPL Showdown Vs Fulham

Written By Albert Echatah

Only one week before Arsenal’s pivotal Champions League quarterfinal first leg showdown against Real Madrid, Gabriel Magalhaes sustained an injury.

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Bukayo Saka made his eagerly anticipated comeback after four months out tonight as the Gunners defeated Fulham 2-1 in the Premier League, and the Brazilian was substituted out after 15 minutes.

The fact that Gabriel left the pitch early and that Jurrien Timber was also observed battling with an injury left a bad feeling, even though Saka’s goal on his return helped the team reach three points.

Ben White did not play on Tuesday due to injury, and Arsenal will host Los Blancos at the Emirates on Tuesday after their Saturday lunchtime match against Everton.

Mikel Arteta did not appear optimistic about Gabriel and Timber’s status when he spoke to the reporters after the game. “Gabriel felt something in his hamstring, we don’t know how big that is,” Arteta said.

But when questioned if the 27-year-old can realistically aim for the Real Madrid match, Arteta acknowledged: “It will be difficult.” Arteta also gave an update on Timber, saying that although the medical staff was already aware of his problem, more evaluation was still necessary.

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“Jurrien was already struggling early, he could not continue, we will assess both players tomorrow.”

The Arsenal defence may appear very thin if both players miss next week’s first leg of the quarterfinal. Full-backs Takehiro Tomiyasu, White, and Riccardo Calafiori are all capable of playing as centre backs, but they are all temporarily sidelined, and with Timber now iffy, Arteta may also be without a recognised right-back.

Gabriel was replaced this evening by Jakub Kiwior, who is expected to accompany William Saliba on the trip to Goodison Park on Saturday at the latest. The Pole may even be included in the starting lineup for the match against Real Madrid next week.

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