Mikel Arteta has saved Arsenal’s season with January transfer request, despite Gabriel Magalhaes injury

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Arsenal’s preparations for their Champions League clash with Real Madrid have been dealt a huge blow.

Gabriel Magalhaes is out for the season following a hamstring injury picked up in the 2-1 victory over Fulham in the Premier League.

Arsenal’s reliance on Gabriel is there for all to see as the powerful defender has had an outstanding campaign and Mikel Arteta now has a huge void to fill in his defence.

Jurrien Timber also limped off against Fulham although the extent of that injury is yet to be confirmed, whilst Ben White has a knee injury and was also absent. A decision from the manager in January could now prove crucial.

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Mikel Arteta prevented Jakub Kiwior departure in January

A likely candidate to replace Gabriel in the Arsenal side for the remainder of the season is Polish international Jakub Kiwior.

Kiwior came on for the Brazilian defender at the Emirates Stadium against Fulham and is now set to partner William Saliba in the upcoming clash with Everton.

Arteta rejected an approach for Kiwior from Juventus in the January transfer window and that decision is now coming to fruition given the latest injury crisis, this time in defensive areas.

Arsenal’s squad has been decimated by injuries this season and that may have been a factor in Arteta’s decision to keep Kiwior at the club.

Kiwior and other Arsenal stars have chance to shine

Having arrived from Spezia in 2023, it is fair to say that Kiwior’s Arsenal career has yet to lift off but now could be his chance to impress the Gunners supporters.

There would be no better way than cementing a place in the Arsenal side than to lock down the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr in the quarter final of a Champions League.

The injury to Gabriel could also mean more first-team opportunities for Hale End stars such as Will Sweet as Arteta manages the thin options he now has in defence.

Either way, the Gunners are going to have to step up and be counted in Gabriel’s absence as their season depends on a mouth-watering tie with the defending European Champions.