Mikel Arteta is going through a tough spell, and now an injury expert has weighed in on how long Arsenal might be without Gabriel after he suffered a setback during their 2-1 Premier League win over Fulham on Tuesday night. The highly-rated defender had to be substituted just 16 minutes into the match due to what seemed to be a hamstring injury.
Arsenal’s injury woes continue, with players coming in and out of the treatment room. Just as Bukayo Saka returned from a hamstring issue suffered on December 21—making an impact by scoring off the bench—Gabriel now faces a potential long-term absence. His injury adds to the growing list, which already includes Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz.
This setback comes at a critical point in Arsenal’s season. After briefly cutting the gap to league leaders Liverpool to nine points before the Reds’ match against Everton, Arteta’s squad is also gearing up for a Champions League quarter-final clash with reigning champions Real Madrid next week.
Injury Expert Assesses Gabriel’s Hamstring Problem
Gabriel went down injured before play was stopped but had to continue defending a counterattack, potentially worsening his condition. The Brazilian appeared to sustain the injury while sprinting back during a defensive transition.
According to an assessment by the X account @physioscout, Gabriel’s recovery timeline could range from a few days to six weeks, depending on the severity of the injury. The expert explained:
Minor tightness: Less than a week
Grade 1 strain: 2-4 weeks
Grade 2 strain: 4-6 weeks
If the worst-case scenario plays out, Gabriel wouldn’t return until May 13. This means William Saliba would be without his usual defensive partner for Arsenal’s Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid and their potentially crucial Premier League clash with Liverpool on May 10.
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