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Arsenal’s Gabriel Hamstring Concern Ahead of Champions League Clash
Arsenal defender Gabriel sustained a hamstring injury during the match against Fulham, casting a shadow over the Gunners’ preparations for their crucial Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid. The setback presents a significant worry for manager Mikel Arteta ahead of the pivotal European encounter.
Defender Suffers Early Setback Against Fulham
The Brazilian centre-back’s match was cut short after just 15 minutes in the Premier League fixture against the Cottagers. Gabriel pulled up while attempting a rapid sprint to challenge a Fulham attack. He visibly discomforted as he clutched his hamstring, indicating a potential muscle strain.
Appearing uneasy while receiving on-field treatment, Gabriel was substituted, leaving his participation in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid in serious doubt. As a precautionary measure, Arsenal promptly replaced him with Jakub Kiwior.
Injury List Mounts for Arsenal
Injuries have been a persistent issue for Arsenal this season, impacting their pursuit of a strong challenge for the Premier League title. Several key players have faced periods on the sidelines, including:
- Bukayo Saka
- Martin Odegaard
- Kai Havertz
- Gabriel Jesus
- Riccardo Calafiori
These individuals have all been unavailable for significant portions of the campaign due to various ailments.
Saka’s Return Quickly Overshadowed
Arsenal had recently celebrated the return of Bukayo Saka, who had been absent for three months due to a hamstring issue. The winger had sustained the injury in December and subsequently underwent surgery. Saka was named as a substitute for the Fulham game. However, this positive injury update was quickly overshadowed by Gabriel’s unfortunate incident.
Timber Concern Averted
Further anxiety for Arteta arose later in the first half when Jurrien Timber appeared to be in discomfort. However, the Dutch defender had sustained a minor cut to his knee and was fortunately able to continue playing.
Saka’s Recovery Provides Some Relief
Despite the new concern over Gabriel, Saka’s return offers a welcome boost to Arteta amidst a spate of long-term injuries within the squad. Arteta commented on Saka’s recovery, stating that all necessary precautions had been taken. He emphasized Saka’s eagerness to return and confirmed his readiness to play, highlighting his importance to the team’s success.
“All the careful things are already done. Now it’s about putting him in the grass at the right moment. But he’s pushing because he really wants to go.”
“We have respected the timeline and we have done everything. We had to hold him back but he is ready to go. He can start. He’s another massive weapon. We know how much of an impact he’s had for the team in his role and with his contributions to our success so it’s great to have him back.”
Calafiori’s Setback Confirmed
While Saka’s inclusion in the matchday squad since December 21 brought optimism, Arteta also confirmed that defender Calafiori had suffered another injury setback. This marks Calafiori’s fifth separate injury of the season, with a recurring knee issue sustained while on international duty with Italy.
Arteta Updates on Calafiori’s Condition
The Spanish manager provided an update on Calafiori’s injury, describing it as “a knee injury” and expressing disappointment at the circumstances. While acknowledging the unfortunate nature of the injury, Arteta offered a slightly optimistic outlook, suggesting it might not be as severe as initially feared. He indicated a recovery period of “weeks” but emphasized the need for further assessment to determine the exact timeline.
The Spaniard said: “It’s a knee injury. Really unfortunate the way it happened [but] it could be much worse. Hopefully, it’s going to be a matter of weeks but we will have to see how it goes.”
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