Mikel Arteta has given an update on the fitness of Gabriel Magalhaes ahead of Arsenal’s Premier League showdown with West Ham. The Brazilian netted in Wednesday’s 5-1 victory over Sporting but was substituted early in the game.
Post-match, Arteta confirmed this was due to a potential injury rather than a tactical decision. “We don’t know (if Gabriel has an injury),” Arteta revealed.
“We had to make the change because he was feeling some discomfort. I was about to make the change for Raz [Raheem Sterling], poor thing, I couldn’t make the sub. We had to get him out.”
Gabriel has been a constant presence for Arsenal this season, starting every Premier League and Champions League match they have played. However, Arteta conceded that the 26-year-old’s record of availability might be broken this weekend.
“We have to see how the boys are. A few weren’t able to train.” When questioned further about Gabriel, he simply said: “Wait and see.”
Jakub Kiwior is the leading candidate to step in for Gabriel, with Takehiro Tomiyasu and Ben White sidelined with knee injuries.
In other news, Arsenal have a clean bill of health for Saturday’s derby at the London Stadium. Kieran Tierney could be set to join his first Premier League matchday squad of the season after making a comeback from injury in Lisbon.
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