Arsenal has announced that Gabriel will be sidelined for the remainder of the season due to a hamstring injury, a significant setback for their Champions League aspirations.

Arsenal will face a significant challenge in their upcoming UEFA Champions League quarter-final ties against Real Madrid, as they confirmed on Thursday that they will be without key defender Gabriel Magalhaes. The Brazilian has been a cornerstone of the Gunners’ defence this season, contributing not only with his defensive prowess but also adding a notable five goals from set pieces.

Gabriel has made 42 appearances across all competitions this term, the highest of any defender in the squad, and has played a crucial role in helping Arsenal maintain the tightest defence in the league, having conceded just 25 goals in 30 matches. However, his recent injury during the 2-1 victory over Fulham has raised concerns. He pulled up clutching his hamstring just 16 minutes into the match and was promptly substituted for Jakub Kiwior.

In a statement, the club confirmed, “Further to being substituted during our match against Fulham on Tuesday, we can confirm that Gabriel Magalhaes has sustained a hamstring injury which requires surgery. Gabi will undergo a surgical repair procedure to his hamstring in the coming days, and immediately begin his recovery and rehabilitation programme, with the aim to be ready for the start of next season. Everyone at the club will be fully focused on supporting Gabi to ensure he is back to full fitness as soon as possible.”

Adding to Arsenal’s woes, fellow defender Jurrien Timber also had to be withdrawn due to injury, replaced by Leandro Trossard in the 77th minute. Manager Mikel Arteta expressed his concern after the match, stating that both players would undergo assessments the following day. “If there are two players in this team who never want to come off, it is probably those two,” he remarked.

Arteta further elaborated on the situation, saying, “Gabi felt something in his hamstring. We don’t know how big that is. With Jurrien, he was already struggling very early in the game. He managed to continue but at one point he couldn’t. Jurrien was his knee.”

This injury continues a troubling trend for Arsenal this season. Bukayo Saka recently returned against Fulham after a lengthy absence due to a hamstring issue, while Kai Havertz has been ruled out for the remainder of the season with a similar injury.

As the Gunners gear up for a pivotal phase in their campaign, they are in pursuit of their first Champions League title, with matches against Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid scheduled for April 8 and 16. The second leg at the Bernabeu will be broadcast live on TNT Sports and discovery+.