By Arsenal have been dealt a major blow ahead of their Champions League showdown with Real Madrid, as defender Gabriel Magalhaes has been ruled out for the rest of the season due to injury.
The Brazilian centre-back suffered a hamstring injury during Arsenal’s 2-1 Premier League victory over Fulham on Tuesday. He went down in the 16th minute at the Emirates and was unable to continue.
On Thursday, Arsenal confirmed that Magalhaes will require surgery and will miss the remainder of the campaign. “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,” the club stated.
Arsenal are set to face Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final on Tuesday, followed by the return leg the following week. Magalhaes’ absence adds to the Gunners’ injury woes, with Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz also ruled out for the season.
Despite boasting the Premier League’s best defense—conceding just 25 goals in 30 games—Arsenal find themselves second in the table, trailing leaders Liverpool by 12 points with eight matches left.
With key players missing, Mikel Arteta faces a tough challenge as Arsenal push for silverware in both domestic and European competitions.
