Gabriel, one of the best defenders in football in recent times, suffered a groin injury during Brazil’s 2-0 win over Senegal in a friendly at the Emirates Stadium in London on Saturday, November 15. The head coach of Brazil, Carlo Ancelotti, stated in the post-match chat that the Arsenal defender will be assessed this Sunday to determine if he is able to play against Tunisia in a friendly on Tuesday at the Decathlon Arena - Stade Pierre-Mauroy in Lille.
Notably, the injury to his groin was sustained by Gabriel in the second half when he pulled up off the ball before receiving treatment to his right thigh area. He got substituted just before the hour mark and despite his absence, Brazil managed to keep a clean sheet with Ederson in goal after
Estevao and Casemiro had scored a goal each in the first half.
When a player has an injury, you hope they can recover well and soon: Carlo Ancelotti
Carlo Ancelotti said the following about Gabriel’s fitness status to the press, as per BBC Sport, “Bad? I don't know. He had an injury in his adductor. The medical staff has to check tomorrow. We are really sorry for this, really disappointed. When a player has an injury, you hope they can recover well and soon.” With that, there is no certainty about his participation in the next match of Arsenal in the Premier League next weekend, let alone the friendly against Tunisia in France.
Arsenal are scheduled to take on arch-rivals Tottenham Hotspur in the North London derby on Sunday, November 23, at the Emirates Stadium before facing Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League (UCL) on Wednesday, November 26. The potential absence of Gabriel in either of these matches could be a big blow for the Gunners in their bid to continue the good momentum going in both these competitions.
Currently, Arsenal are in first place in the Premier League with 26 points in 11 matches, ahead of Manchester City by four points while in the UCL, they are in second place with four wins in four matches, behind their upcoming opponents Bayern Munich on goal difference.
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