Mikel Arteta confirms Arsenal star defender is out for weeks

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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed that star defender Gabriel will be sidelined for several weeks due to an injury sustained while playing for the Brazil national team. The 27-year-old centre-back was forced to leave the pitch during Brazil's victory over Senegal in the recent international break. Arteta described Gabriel's absence as a significant blow for the team, especially given upcoming crucial fixtures.

Gabriel is set to miss key matches including the highly anticipated North London derby against Tottenham Hotspur, as well as Premier League clashes with Bayern Munich and Chelsea, all within a tense seven-day period. Arteta emphasized Gabriel’s role as a leader in Arsenal's defense, highlighting the challenge his absence creates for the squad. However, he expressed confidence in the depth of options available to fill the gap and called on other defenders to step up in Gabriel's absence.

Regarding Gabriel’s recovery timeline, Arteta revealed that the medical staff will conduct another scan the following Wednesday to provide a clearer picture of the defender’s condition. Until then, the exact duration of Gabriel’s unavailability remains uncertain.

This injury comes amid a challenging time for Arsenal, which has already seen injuries affect key players. Arteta has previously criticized the accumulation of player workload as a factor leading to injuries, suggesting that the intense schedule leaves players vulnerable. The Arsenal manager underscored the importance of navigating this difficult period carefully as the team aims to maintain momentum in the league and compete at a high level.

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