Arsenal`s Champions League quarterfinal preparations against Real Madrid have been disrupted by the news that center-back Gabriel will be out for the season due to a severe hamstring injury.
The Brazilian player, a key performer for Arsenal in 2024-25, was injured in the first half of their 2-1 victory over Fulham. This injury is serious enough to require surgery, making him the third Arsenal player this season to undergo hamstring surgery. Bukayo Saka recently recovered from a similar issue, while Kai Havertz has been absent since February and is also expected to miss the rest of the season.
Arsenal stated that Gabriel will have surgery on his hamstring in the coming days and will then begin his rehabilitation, aiming to be fit for the start of next season. The club emphasized their full support for Gabriel to ensure his swift return to full fitness.
Adding to Arsenal`s defensive concerns before the first leg against Real Madrid, Riccardo Calafiori is likely to miss both legs due to a knee injury sustained during international duty. Ben White also missed the Fulham game with knee discomfort. White has only played 16 times this season due to a previous knee surgery in November.
Arsenal are also awaiting the final assessment of Jurrien Timber`s knee injury, which he sustained in a collision against Fulham. The club hopes the injury is not too serious.
With Timber and White potentially unavailable, Arsenal might have to consider deploying Thomas Partey at right-back and partnering Jakub Kiwior with William Saliba in central defense to face Real Madrid`s formidable attack led by Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior.
