Arsenal have suffered a serious injury scare after Gabriel was withdrawn from the Brazil squad for this month’s international friendlies.
The centre-back, who played an important role in Arsenal’s title-winning campaign this season, will miss the season. Selecao He met with France and Croatia after complaining of “pain in his right knee” following Sunday’s Carabao Cup final.
advertise
Gabriel underwent imaging tests that confirmed he was unfit to feature for Brazil during the international break in March, but the exact severity of the injury is unknown.
It could be a huge blow for the Gunners, whose hopes of winning an unprecedented quadruple this season were dashed after a 2-0 defeat by Manchester City at Wembley Stadium.
Gabriel started in Sunday’s Carabao Cup final defeat (Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Previously, Gabriel’s center back partner William Saliba, who started alongside Manchester City in the game, was also excluded from the national team and withdrew from the French team due to “recurrent pain in his left ankle.”
advertise
The French Football Federation (FFF) said in an official statement that the Arsenal defender will require treatment and “at least 10 days of rest”, with Crystal Palace’s Maxence Lacroix selected as his replacement for his first France call-up.
Meanwhile, Brazil have confirmed that they will not replace Gabriel in their squad for the two international matches ahead of this summer’s World Cup in the United States.
Arsenal have already felt the spell of Gabriel’s international break this season, with the 28-year-old forced to miss 10 games over the festive period after suffering a thigh injury during Brazil’s 2-0 win over Senegal in November – which was played at the Emirates Stadium.
Saliba’s season has also been hampered by injuries, with this being the third time he has missed time with an ankle problem.
advertise
Were it not for injuries, Arsenal’s defensive duo would have gone head-to-head in this match, with Brazil facing France at Boston’s Gillette Stadium on March 26 before taking on Croatia at Orlando’s Camping World Stadium on March 31.
Arsenal have also found Leandro Trossard and Eberechi Eze ruled out of international duty with Belgium and England respectively as they continue their recovery, while Norway’s Martin Odegaard and Dutch defender Jurien Timber have been deemed unavailable for their countries.