Gabriel Magalhães ruled out for several weeks with thigh injury

Arsenal have been dealt a significant defensive blow after Mikel Arteta confirmed that Gabriel Magalhães will miss “several weeks” due to a thigh injury sustained while on international duty with Brazil.The 26-year-old centre-back was forced off in the first half of Brazil’s 1-1 friendly draw against Uruguay on Tuesday night and underwent initial scans in South America. Arteta revealed on Friday that the defender has now returned to London Colney, with a follow-up scan scheduled for November 26 to determine the exact extent of the muscle damage.

“Gabriel felt something in his thigh. He’s been assessed and unfortunately he’s going to be out for a few weeks,” Arteta told reporters ahead of Saturday’s north London derby against Tottenham Hotspur. “We’ll know more after the next scan, but he’s very sad because he wants to be with us.”

The absence of last season’s PFA Team of the Year defender is a major setback for Arsenal, who already have Riccardo Calafiori sidelined. William Saliba is expected to continue alongside either Ben White or Jakub Kiwior at centre-back, with Jurriën Timber remains an option, though the Dutchman has primarily featured at full-back this term.

Gabriel has started all 15 of Arsenal’s Premier League matches in 2025, contributing four goals and forming a formidable partnership with Saliba. His recovery timeline is likely to extend into December.