Arsenal star Gabriel Magalhaes has returned to the club midway through the international break, leaving the Brazil camp in the process.
The defender has been in fine form this season, landing a place in the squad with his national team for World Cup qualification action.
The international break has been something of a scary time for Arsenal in the past, not least over the past few days.
Riccardo Calafiori’s suspected knee injury has only added further worry over the current shape of the squad heading into the last stretch of the campaign, with some key Champions League matches coming up.
Fortunately, though, Gabriel Magalhaes’ return is something of a boost to Mikel Arteta instead of bad news.
Gabriel Magalhaes leaves Brazil squad after suspension and makes Arsenal return
Arsenal star Gabriel Magalhaes helped Brazil to a last-gasp win over Colombia in the first of two World Cup qualifiers this March.
Arsenal transfer target Raphinha opened the scoring just six minutes in from the penalty spot before Liverpool’s Luis Diaz levelled it up before the break.
The game appeared to be drifting towards a stalemate until Vinicius Jr popped up with a winner in the ninth minute of stoppage time.
In that frantic nature of that match came a booking for Gabriel, one that will now see him suspended for Brazil’s upcoming clash with Argentina.
Following on from that suspension, the defender has been sent back to Arsenal early to return back to training.
It means Gabriel doesn’t risk injury in the following game and returns with plenty of time to feature for the Gunners in the week ahead.
He is now the third Arsenal defender to leave their international camp early, though there are a variety of reasons for it.
- READ MORE: Max Dowman impresses for England again with telling contribution for under-17s international squad
Riccardo Calafiori and Jurrien Timber injury updates
Along with Gabriel, both Riccardo Calafiori and Jurrien Timber have returned from international duty early from their respective nations.
Calafiori picked up a suspected knee injury, seemingly over-extending his knee when going in for a challenge for Italy.
The left-back will now be assessed back at Arsenal where the length of his absence will be determined.
As for Timber, illness has left him out of action for the Netherlands as he missed out on a clash with Spain in the UEFA Nations League.
He will now be back in London recovering from the illness he has suffered before making a return to action.
Receive a digest of our best Arsenal content each week direct to your mailbox
