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Arsenal have missed a huge presence in their central defense since Gabriel got injured a couple of weeks ago.
To be honest, they have not really felt his absence - not yet - but it is not because Gabriel wasn't important. Obviously he was, but Arsenal's recruitment last season was crucial in making sure that in situations like this, they don't have to lose out on quality.
Christhian Mosquera and Piero Hincapie have been exceptional whenever called upon, and that is exactly what a title-contending team needs when their star players are injured.
It is obvious though that Gabriel would be an improvement on these players once he returns, and he would make this brilliant Arsenal defense even better.
Mikel Arteta was asked about it during Friday's pre-match press conference, Arteta gave a positive update on the Brazilian player's injury.
He said that while he is still some way out, there is reason for confidence and optimism.
Mikel Arteta is confident about Gabriel's recovery, which is great news
He said: "Not yet. I think he's evolving really, really well. We have to wait for that scan a little bit longer to be more precise in terms of the timings.
"But I'm quite confident, especially the way Gabi takes every injury and the way he's going to push everybody, that it's not going to be that long."
That is excellent news. It does not mean the player will be back next week. It also does not mean the player will be back in seven months. It is just good to see that Arteta thinks Gabriel is evolving well, and the fact that he is confident that he will not be out for that long.
Gabriel is one of the best centre-backs in the world right now, if not the best, and his absence is definitely going to be missed in the big game against Chelsea on Sunday.
Gabriel doesn't just impact Arsenal's defense, he is also one of the biggest threats in world football in set-pieces. There aren't that many better headers of the ball than the Brazilian, and knowing how important they are for Arsenal, he is a gigantic loss.
It is Arsenal's most important game of the month - and that is saying a lot considering they have just beaten Bayern Munich as well as Tottenham Hotspur all within a week's time.
Mosquera or Hincapie - depending on which player starts alongside William Saliba - will have to be at their absolute best for that game.