Arsenal star Gabriel Magalhaes impressed on his full debut for Brazil, but appeared to pick up a thigh injury towards the end of the game.
Brazil thrashed Bolivia 5-1 on Saturday, but there were nerves at Arsenal as Gabriel had to have a scan on his thigh to see if there was any damage.
It was claimed yesterday that he had managed to avoid injury, and this has now been confirmed by journalist Charles Watts, who has revealed that Gabriel is completely injury-free, and is likely to start in Brazil’s game against Peru.
“Gabriel took part in Brazil training. Reports out of the Brazil national team camp suggest that scans on the thigh problem he suffered against Bolivia showed no sign of any injury. He’s expected to start again against Peru on Tuesday,” Watts posted on X.
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Arsenal could not afford another injury
With Jurrien Timber and Thomas Partey currently sidelined, Arsenal are light at the back, with just six natural defensive options for four positions.
Losing Gabriel to injury could have been a disaster. Whilst he did not start the opening three games of the season, he showed his class in the victory over Manchester United, and he is now one of the best-left centre-backs in the Premier League.
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Arsenal lost Gabriel Jesus to injury when with Brazil during the World Cup last year, and they will be keen to avoid more international break nightmares, particularly given the lack of defensive depth in the squad.
Gabriel will likely start against Peru, and Arsenal will be keeping a nervous eye on him as they anxiously wait for him to return to North London injury-free.
Arsenal have a tough month ahead, with a trip to Everton and a home North London Derby either side of a first Champions League game in over six years against PSV Eindhoven, and Gabriel will be needed for all of these fixtures.