‘Outstanding’ Arsenal ace eyes Man City injury boost after international decision

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Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes has rated his chances of playing at Manchester City on March 31 after having to withdraw from the Brazil squad owing to his injury.

The Gunners have seen a clutch of Mikel Arteta’s side pull out of representing their nations in March. Gabriel and his compatriot namesake Gabriel Martinelli both withdrew from the Brazil camp before friendlies with England and Spain. Gabriel Jesus did not make the Selecao side.

Brazil opted to omit Jesus from their March plans after the striker’s recent aggravation of his knee injury. The Selecao chose against risking the 26-year-old after he missed three Premier League games. But coach Dorival Junior hoped to lean on Gabriel and Martinelli this month.

Gabriel and Martinelli withdrew from Brazil duties due to injury

Martinelli has stayed back at London Colney over representing Brazil while he recovers from the cut to a foot the winger suffered as Arsenal thrashed Sheffield United 6-0. The 22-year-old scored and assisted at Bramall Lane, before then needing assistance to hop off the pitch.

Gabriel and Martinelli are now striving to recover from their injury woes before Arteta’s side visits Manchester City. The Gunners go to Etihad Stadium after the international break, with 12 Arsenal players still on duty, on March 31 for a crucial contest for the top-flight title race.

Arsenal ace Gabriel rates his chances of playing Manchester City

Now, football.london reports that Gabriel might hand Arteta a big injury boost when Arsenal travel to Manchester City. It claims that the 26-year-old is ‘hopeful’ about featuring at Etihad Stadium after pulling out of the Brazil side as a precaution over an inflamed Achilles tendon.

Gabriel, who Rio Ferdinand believes has been ‘outstanding’ this season, has not sustained a major injury. So, the centre-half hopes he will not miss any Premier League action following the break. Arteta has relied on the Sao Paulo native to start 24 of his 26 appearances so far.

Arteta was last without Gabriel for a Premier League fixture when he benched the Brazilian at home to Sheffield United back in October. He also left the defender on the bench at home to Fulham in August. Gabriel has featured in each of their other top-flight matches this season.