Mikel Arteta provides update on concerning Gabriel injury

Arsenal are sweating over the fitness of star centre-back Gabriel, who was forced off against Fulham with a suspected hamstring injury.

The Gunners have had rotten injury luck, and the imperative defender's absence for the club's upcoming Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid would epitomise such misfortune.

Tuesday night was nonetheless a celebratory one for Mikel Arteta's side as they secured back-to-back Premier League wins off the back of a three-game winless league run. After beating Chelsea 1-0 before the international break, they overcame Fulham 2-1 under the lights.

Bukayo Saka was back in action after more than three months out, and the superstar winger lit up north London by scoring the Gunners' second on his return. Rodrigo Muniz's consolation meant his back post finish was the winner.

Gabriel sustains hamstring injury in Arsenal's 2-1 win over Fulham

With Saka returning to the fold, Arsenal's one in, one out policy meant it was inevitable for one of the Englishman's teammate to succumb on Tuesday. The pesky injury gods opted for Gabriel, who lasted no more than 16 minutes after feeling something in his hamstring.

Sky Sports pundit Tim Sherwood, who, I can confirm, is no medical expert, was quick to denounce the defender's season as "over", but it's too early to tell just how severe the Brazilian's setback is. Recent hamstring injuries sustained by Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, and Kai Havertz don't paint a pretty picture, however.

Speaking after the match, Arteta was unable to give much of an update. “Gabriel felt something in his hamstring, we don’t know how big that is," he said. Arsenal host the first leg against Madrid next Tuesday before visiting the Santiago Bernabeu the following Wednesday.

I must say, I'm not overly optimistic.

Gabriel wasn't the only defender to pick up a knock on Arsenal's return to action. Jurrien Timber was caught by Raul Jimenez in the first half and eventually, albeit after 77 minutes, taken off by the boss. Arteta said the Dutchman "couldn't continue", adding that he'll be assessed with Gabriel on Wednesday.

Ben White also wasn't available on Tuesday night, and with Riccardo Calafiori picking up a knee injury on international duty, Arsenal currently have five defenders with injuries. Gabriel's the biggest concern, but we could also do with anyone but Thomas Partey lining up against Vinicius Junior next week. God, I just thought about Kylian Mbappe up against Jakub Kiwior.

Carry us, Bukayo.

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