Mikel Arteta has admitted that the injury suffered by Arsenal defender Gabriel against Chelsea is a “concern”.
The Brazilian went down several times in the second half of Tuesday’s 3-1 Premier League win at the Emirates Stadium, yet tried to continue and play through the pain.
Gabriel was eventually taken off after 85 minutes and replaced by Rob Holding, but his fitness is a worry ahead of the Gunners’ title run-in.
Arsenal are already without key centre-back William Saliba due to a back injury, with January signing Jakub Kiwior stepping in against Chelsea after Holding suffered a nightmare display against title rivals Manchester City – and Erling Haaland in particular – in last week’s 4-1 defeat at the Etihad.
On Gabriel, Arteta said in his post-Chelsea press conference: “He wasn’t comfortable, he tried for 15 minutes but he couldn’t carry on which was a concern.
“It was strange for Gabby as he is not usually one who wants to leave the pitch.”
Arsenal are now back on top of the table and two points ahead of City, who have two games in hand, with the Gunners to play four more matches before the end of the season.
