Arteta offers injury update on key defender after UCL win

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has played down fears surrounding Gabriel Magalhães after the defender was forced off with a fitness concern during Wednesday’s 2-0 Champions League victory over Olympiacos.

Gabriel's involvement was cut short with 15 minutes remaining, and his visibly devastated reaction on leaving the pitch led many Arsenal fans to fear the worst.

However, Arteta assured worried supporters that the substitution was entirely precautionary rather than enforced.

“I think he’s going to be OK,” Arteta explained.

“I think it was a kick, in the first half, and it was a bit uncomfortable. He could carry on but we decided not to take any risks because he’s played a lot of games.

He’s coming back from a long-term injury and we need to look after him.”

Arsenal now face a nervous wait to see if the Brazilian will be healthy enough to feature in Saturday’s Premier League clash with West Ham United.

Should he be unavailable, the Gunners are well-stocked in defence: Cristhian Mosquera replaced Gabriel alongside William Saliba on Wednesday, while Italy international Riccardo Calafiori is also an option at centre-back.