Gabriel Magalhaes Injury Update from Mikel Arteta

Mikel Arteta has provided an update on Gabriel Magalhaes after the Arsenal defender went down four times with injury and was subbed off against Chelsea on Tuesday. The Gunners defeated their London rivals 3-1 at home, but the injury to Gabriel is a massive blow to Arsenal, who are still without fellow centre-back William Saliba. Realistically, Arsenal must win their upcoming game against third-placed Newcastle United on Sunday to keep their Premier League title hopes alive, but it is a huge ask for a team who could now be without both of their starting central defenders. When asked for an update on Gabriel and if he will be fit for Newcastle, Arteta said: ‘I don’t know… He had to leave, he wasn’t comfortable at all. That’s pretty strange from Gabriel because he’s a big fighter, but I don’t know.’ Quizzed about Saliba’s possible return, Arteta added: ‘I don’t know either.’ Jakub Kiwior, who joined the Gunners in January, made his first start for Arsenal in the 3-1 win over Chelsea and Arteta was delighted with the Poland international’s performance in central defence. Arteta said: ‘Yes (I was pleased), especially Jakub, it was a big task for him he hasn’t played in the Premier League yet and to throw him in against top class players was a big ask. But we believe he is ready and his partnership with Gabi worked out really well.’ With Gabriel Magalhaes potentially set to miss Sunday’s game at Newcastle, Mikel Arteta has provided an update on the defender’s injury. After going down four times with injury and being subbed off against Chelsea on Tuesday, Arteta admitted that he doesn’t know if Gabriel will be fit for the game against Newcastle, saying: ‘I don’t know… He had to leave, he wasn’t comfortable at all. That’s pretty strange from Gabriel because he’s a big fighter, but I don’t know.’ Furthermore, when asked about William Saliba’s possible return, Arteta said: ‘I don’t know either.’ Jakub Kiwior, who joined the Gunners in January, made his first start for Arsenal in the 3-1 win over Chelsea and Arteta was pleased with the Poland international’s performance in central defence. Arteta said: ‘Yes (I was pleased), especially Jakub, it was a big task for him he hasn’t played in the Premier League yet and to throw him in against top class players was a big ask. But we believe he is ready and his partnership with Gabi worked out really well.’