The North London club are concerned that defender Gabriel Magalhães may be sidelined for no less than one month after suffering a thigh strain while with the national team last week.
Gabriel had to be substituted during the Seleção's triumph against Senegal in a friendly at the Emirates Stadium on the weekend and has since gone back to his team for more examinations.
Club examinations are still underway, and Arsenal have not yet confirm the full duration of the 27-year-old layoff.
However, he is not anticipated to be available for the key North London derby on the weekend or the European meeting with Bayern Munich only three days.
Possible Layoff and Missed Matches
Club sources worry that Gabriel could be out for at least four weeks, perhaps more, based on the extent of the injury.
This would keep him out of several crucial fixtures, like:
- Premier League fixtures against the Blues and the Bees at the Emirates
- An road trip to face Villa
- The Champions League clash at Brugge on December 10th
The Arsenal side—who presently hold a four-point advantage over Manchester City—then meet Wolves at home before a rearranged trip to Goodison Park on 20 December.
Significant Setback for Arsenal's Title Challenge
Losing Gabriel could prove a major setback for the Gunners in their Premier League push.
The defender has played every minute of the Premier League season so far and is vital to a defense that has conceded only five times in 11 games.
Before the latest 2-2 draw at the Stadium of Light, the side had kept 8 straight shutouts in all competitions.
Replacement Choices and Other Injury Worries
Cristhian Mosquera and fellow summer arrival Piero Hincapié are in contention to fill in for Gabriel against Spurs.
Additionally, there are concerns over whether forward Viktor Gyökeres will return to play up front after sitting out the club's final two fixtures before the pause due to a muscle injury.
In other news, German coach Julian Nagelsmann revealed that Havertz has experienced a “minor relapse” during his comeback from a knee injury.
Although Arteta had been optimistic about the player's return this weekend, the national team boss suggested that the German is now expected to return by the New Year.
Squad Tested to the Maximum
Arsenal experienced their championship push undermined previously by a succession of fitness issues and spent heavily in the transfer window to reinforce the squad.
But, with skipper Martin Ødegaard also on the injured list—alongside Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli—the team is under strain to the limit.
