Arsenal might have just lost the Carabao Cup final to Manchester City, but if one thing has cheered Gooners up, it’s Gabriel Magalhaes’ withdrawal from international duty.
Mikel Arteta will be disappointed that his side were not able to end Arsenal’s trophy drought, but in all honesty, the Gunners have bigger fish to fry.
With the Premier League title race in Arsenal’s control, Arteta needs to ensure the title is won above anything else.
Losing to Man City was not ideal, but it happened, and Arsenal are now hungry to kick on; but they’ll need their best players to achieve their goal.
It’s for that reason that the international break has come at the worst time, as the squad must remain fit, which happens to be the same reason why fans are currently going wild on social media.
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Arsenal fans react as Gabriel Magalhaes withdraws from the Brazil squad for March international duty
After the international break, Arsenal face the FA Cup quarter-final, the Champions League quarter-final and must-win Premier League clashes against Bournemouth and Manchester City.
How do Arsenal manage the March international break?
Playing and travelling in the international break is a nightmare for the Arsenal squad, which explains why there’s been a host of sudden withdrawals.
Eberechi Eze will not meet up with the England squad, Jurrien Timber will not be with the Netherlands, Leandro Trossard has withdrawn for Belgium, as has William Saliba with France and now, Gabriel Magalhaes with Brazil.
When Brazil announced that Gabriel’s withdrawal had happened, Arsenal fans celebrated on X.
“This revelation means more to me than that trophy to be completely honest with you,” one fan wrote, adding, “The club, coach and players know what they gotta do over the break.”
Gabriel was injured during the November international break, facing weeks on the sidelines due to a hip injury sustained in a friendly.
With more friendlies set for Brazil, it made sense for the defender to be withdrawn, which happened as a result of ‘pain in his right knee’, and Arsenal fans couldn’t be happier.
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On X, Gooners praised the work they presume Arteta has put in to ensure his players are protected over March.
- “Teta is putting the hammer down. You love to see it.”
- “Arteta is not playing.”
- “We are winning the league. I’ve never been more sure.”
- “These players finally understand man. Rice next.”
- “Arteta and the boys fully locked in.”
One fan was joyous, writing, “yeah, we’re not playing around anymore,” as another took the wave of withdrawals as a statement of intent.
“Now we are talking. Arsenal players are pulling out. Now Arsenal mean business,” the fan posted on X.
So, while Gabriel might be disappointed not to join up with his national team in the final break before the World Cup, those who adore him in N5 are delighted.
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