Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
Mikel Arteta has expressed serious concern regarding Gabriel Magalhaes’ injury, revealing that the defender’s early exit during Arsenal’s surprising FA Cup defeat is “never good news.”
The Brazilian player was substituted in the second half of the Gunners’ 2-1 loss to Southampton at St Mary’s Stadium on Saturday.
Update on Gabriel Magalhaes’ Injury
In his post-match remarks, a clearly worried Arteta shared his apprehensions about the 28-year-old’s situation. Gabriel had just returned from a knee injury that forced him to miss the international break, making this latest development even more troubling for the Premier League leaders.
Arteta noted:
“I think he felt something. I don’t know exactly what it is. We’re going to have to assess him, but obviously, when a player is asking to be substituted, it’s never good news.”
The timing of Gabriel’s injury is particularly unfortunate for Arsenal. After the match, he was seen with ice on his knee, and with a crucial Champions League quarter-final match against Sporting CP coming up on Tuesday, the Gunners may be without their key defender during a pivotal phase of the season.
Arsenal Exits Another Cup in Two Weeks
This injury added to a dismal day for Arsenal, who have watched their pursuit of a historic quadruple diminish within a mere fourteen days. After losing to Manchester City in the League Cup final before the international break, the Gunners have been eliminated from another domestic competition, leaving the Champions League and Premier League as their only remaining trophy hopes.
Despite taking the lead through Viktor Gyokeres in the second half, Arsenal faltered late in the match. A dramatic 85th-minute winner from Shea Charles for the second-tier Saints sent the home crowd into raptures and left the Premier League leaders in shock.
Having dominated the league for much of the season, Arteta’s team is now experiencing a sudden downturn that could jeopardize their title aspirations in both domestic and European competitions.
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