‘Requires Surgery’: Arsenal Confirm Worst Fears Around ‘Monster’ Player’s Injury

Arsenal are pushing hard for a positive end to the 2024/25 season, as they are still alive in the UEFA Champions League and looking to shorten the distance between them and Liverpool in the Premier League title race. However, Mikel Arteta’s side has now been dealt a big blow with an update on Gabriel Magalhaes.

Arsenal Confirm Gabriel Magalhaes Injury Blow

What Happened To Magalhaes?

The Brazilian centre-back had to be substituted in the Gunners’ recent 2-1 win over Fulham in the Premier League. He had to be taken away and replaced by Jakub Kiwior in the first half, causing worries from fans about his situation. Arsenal have now confirmed the worst fears that Magalhaes will not be available for any matches for the remainder of the 2024/25 season.

They released an official statement on the 27-year-old’s situation, stating: “Further to being substituted during our match against Fulham on Tuesday, we can confirm that Gabriel Magalhaes has sustained a hamstring injury which requires surgery. Gabi will undergo a surgical repair procedure to his hamstring in the coming days, and immediately begin his recovery and rehabilitation programme, with the aim to be ready for the start of next season. Everyone at the club will be fully focused on supporting Gabi to ensure he is back to full fitness as soon as possible.”

How Will Arsenal Cope Without Gabriel Magalhaes?

This will be a big blow for Arteta considering how reliant he has been on the Brazilian defender to help his side maintain their defensive sturdiness. Prior to the Fulham clash, Gabriel only missed two of their 29 Premier League games and helped them keep 10 clean sheets in 28 outings. The Gunners only conceded 22 goals in the Premier League matches he was featured in, with the defender also helping them keep four clean sheets in nine Champions League matches.

This will be a major setback for Arsenal ahead of their two-legged Champions League quarterfinal against Real Madrid. They have another left-footed centre-back in Jakub Kiwior available to replace Gabriel in the backline, with the Polish defender replacing him in the win over Fulham.

Arteta could even play Ben White in a centre-back role knowing his experience in the situation, while Jurrien Timber can also operate in the middle of the backline. However, the team will definitely miss the presence and commanding nature of injured star, who has made 210 appearances for them so far and was hailed as a “monster” following his heroics in Arsenal’s 1-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur earlier in the 2024/25 season.