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Mikel Arteta hints Gabriel WILL be fit for Arsenal’s clash with Newcastle

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Mikel Arteta hints Gabriel WILL be fit for Arsenal’s clash with Newcastle after the Brazilian hobbled off with knee injury in Liverpool draw as the Gunners boss also gives fitness updates on Martin Odegaard and Riccardo Calafiori

 

Gabriel could be set to make a speedy return from injury in time for Arsenal‘s clash against Newcastle, after the centre-back hobbled off in the Gunners’ draw with Liverpool.

The Brazil international, who was substituted with a knee injury during last weekend’s 2-2 draw at the Emirates, will be in contention to feature at St James’s Park, subject to successfully completing a training session on Friday.

Gunners boss Mikel Arteta revealed he was also waiting for news on Ben White, who played the full 90 minutes against Arne Slot‘s Reds but has not trained since.

William Saliba, meanwhile, is in line to return to top-flight action following a one-match ban to ease Arsenal’s defensive issues but Riccardo Calafiori and Takehiro Tomiyasu remain sidelined, as does captain Martin Odegaard.

Asked about Gabriel’s fitness at Friday’s pre-match press conference, Arteta said: ‘We have a training session today. If he can complete that he will be available.

Gabriel could be set to make a speedy return from injury for Arsenal's clash against Newcastle

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Gabriel could be set to make a speedy return from injury for Arsenal’s clash against Newcastle

The Brazil international was substituted with a knee injury during last weekend's 2-2 draw at the Emirates

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The Brazil international was substituted with a knee injury during last weekend’s 2-2 draw at the Emirates

Captain Martin Odegaard remains sidelined after an injury sustained playing for Norway

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Captain Martin Odegaard remains sidelined after an injury sustained playing for Norway

Mikel Arteta said: 'He hasn't had any training sessions yet but if he's able to do that today he will be available in the squad'

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Mikel Arteta said: ‘He hasn’t had any training sessions yet but if he’s able to do that today he will be available in the squad’

‘Riccy [Calafiori] and Martin [Odegaard] are out definitely.

‘With Ben [White], we don’t know yet because he hasn’t trained yet. He could not train, he could not get involved, so let’s wait and see if he’s available or not.’

Just minutes after the sides came out for the second-half last week, Arsenal fans had their nightmare scenario play out in front of them as centre-back Gabriel slumped to the ground in pain.

Much to their initial relief, the Brazilian was soon back on his feet after responding well to on-field treatment and was called into action as Liverpool ramped up the pressure.

He was soon on his haunches once again, however, and this time there was no prospect of him continuing, and the defender was forced to walk dejectedly down the tunnel after he was replaced by Jakub Kiwior.

The knock appeared to come after a collision with Darwin Nunez seemed to jar Gabriel’s left knee and the Brazilian was later spotted by the TV cameras on the substitutes bench with his knee heavily iced up.

To make matters worse, full-back Timber also went down with what appeared to be cramp leaving supporters at the Emirates shaking their heads in disbelief.

Meanwhile Riccardo Calafiori is also still out as Arsenal's defensive crisis continues

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Meanwhile Riccardo Calafiori is also still out as Arsenal’s defensive crisis continues

To make matters worse, full-back Jurrien Timber went down last Sunday with what appeared to be cramp

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To make matters worse, full-back Jurrien Timber went down last Sunday with what appeared to be cramp

Signing Mikel Merino restored the Gunners' lead with minutes of the opening period remaining

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Signing Mikel Merino restored the Gunners’ lead with minutes of the opening period remaining

But Mohamed Salah claimed the decisive equaliser, tapping home from a Darwin Nunez cross

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But Mohamed Salah claimed the decisive equaliser, tapping home from a Darwin Nunez cross

Arteta will ‘continue to adapt’ to injury challenges hitting Arsenal

The Dutchman was a doubt before the game and, after twice slumping to the floor in agony, joined Gabriel in heading down the tunnel.

To show the extent of the crisis, 18-year-old Myles Lewis-Skelly was called into action for the ultimate test of facing Mohamed Salah down the Liverpool right-hand side.

The Egyptian soon claimed the decisive equaliser, tapping home from a Darwin Nunez cross to cancel out Mikel Merino’s header after Bukayo Saka and Virgil van Dijk exchanged early goals.

 

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