Arsenal face a crucial period without star defender Gabriel, who has been ruled out for “weeks” with a thigh injury sustained on international duty, manager Mikel Arteta confirmed.
The 27-year-old center-back has been pivotal to Arsenal’s league-leading defense, which has conceded just five goals this season, helping them secure a four-point lead at the top of the table.
Arteta called the injury a “blow” because Gabriel is “our leader in our backline.”
The timing is critical, coming just before Sunday’s North London Derby against Tottenham. Piero Hincapie and Cristhian Mosquera are in contention to replace him.
Arteta remains positive, stressing that the squad has “very good options” and others must now “stand up and do the job.”
