Arsenal hope to have Gabriel Magalhaes available for their Premier League showdown with Newcastle United this afternoon.
The Gunners have been rocked by defensive injuries and absences in recent weeks and will again be without the suspended William Saliba who will also miss the visit of Chelsea on 10 November after his straight red card shown in the defeat to Bournemouth.
His partner at the back Gabriel was forced off in Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Liverpool following a tussle with Darwin Nunez.
The Brazil international felt something in the back of his knee, initially attempting to play on before being replaced shortly after.
Gabriel was absent from the squad that took on Preston in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night with Mikel Arteta revealing the injury ‘doesn’t look that bad’.
The outlook looked even better on Friday with the Arsenal boss optimistic he can have a role to play on Tyneside. ‘We have a training session today, if he can complete that, he will be available,’ Arteta told a press conference.
Ben White meanwhile played the full game on Sunday but was absent from the squad that beat Preston. Arteta revealed his defender was ‘struggling’ at the end against Liverpool with a late decision to be made on his inclusion today.
There was also concern for Jurrien Timber after he was forced off in the second-half against Arne Slot’s side but the Netherlands international played the full 90 minutes at right-back against Preston last night.
Arsenal injuries
Ruled out: Calafiori (knee), Odegaard (ankle), Tierney (thigh), Tomiyasu (knee)
Doubts: Gabriel (knee)
Suspended: Saliba
Riccardo Calafiori meanwhile is sidelined ‘for the next few weeks’ with Martin Odegaard still working on his return from an ankle injury.
The Gunners captain has resumed light training in recent weeks and while Arteta hopes to have him available before the November international break, the trip to Tyneside will come too soon for him.
Predicted Arsenal XI to face Newcastle
Raya, Partey, White, Timber, Kiwior, Rice, Saka, Rice, Merino, Martinelli, Havertz, Trossard
Where to watch Newcastle vs Arsenal? Kick-off time and TV channel
Newcastle United vs Arsenal kicks off at 12:30pm on Saturday, 2 November.
Live coverage is available on TNT Sports 1 and TNT Sports Ultimate with a live stream available on the Discovery+ app.
Arsenal news, exclusives and analysis
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