This evening's London derby against Fulham in the Premier League – Arsenal won 2–1 – had been played for barely a quarter of an hour when the Brazilian national team player limped badly. Judging by the TV images, he strained a muscle in the back of his thigh.
Gabriel was forced to be substituted with Jakub Kiwior and a longer injury break is likely for the defensive giant.
Together with the Frenchman William Saliba, Gabriel forms one of the league's strongest central defenses.
The injury comes at the most inconvenient time, considering the quarterfinal meeting that awaits against the reigning Champions League champion Real Madrid. The first semifinal will be played at home at Emirates Stadium on Tuesday next week. The return match will be played eight days later at Santiago Bernabéu in Madrid.
A positive for Arsenal: English national team star Bukayo Saka is back. He started the match on the bench but came onto the pitch in the 66th minute.
Six minutes later, he headed in the 2–0 goal.
Saka injured himself in the league match against Crystal Palace on December 21.
