Arteta Gives The Latest Update On Gabriel Injury Following The Frustrating Draw Against Liverpool

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta expressed concern after Gabriel Magalhaes was carried off with an injury in the second half of Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Liverpool.

Arsenal’s defense lost William Saliba to suspension and Gabriel suffered another blow when he was sent off early in the second half after colliding with Liverpool forward Darwin Nunes. The Brazilian defender’s absence was felt when Arsenal’s makeshift defense conceded Mohamed Salah’s equalizer in the 81st minute.

“I don’t know [the injury’s extent], but he could not run – that’s what he said right away,” Arteta noted about Gabriel. “I don’t know if it’s the knee joint or the ankle. They are assessing him now,” he added, touching wood in a gesture of hope.

The injury is not expected to be very serious, but the player is scheduled to undergo further tests today to determine the full extent of the injury.

Adding to Arteta’s frustration was the early dismissal of Jurien Timber. The Dutch defender, who had just returned from a long injury, also had to leave the stadium after the game with an ice pack on his knees.

“We’ve done everything we could to accelerate that process, and he was so willing,” Arteta said. “The medical staff has done amazing work. We gave ourselves the chance to compete, but I don’t know the extent of the injury.”

But Arteta acknowledged the defense’s vulnerability in transition.

“We were open in transition for the second goal. Against this team, you cannot do that if you want to win,” he explained. “It is what it is at the moment. The backline is completely different from what we’re used to. We should have won the game.”