Gabriel's Injury Blow: How Many Arsenal Matches Will the Defender Miss?

Arsenal has been hit by the injury bug once more during the November international window.

The Gunners have enjoyed a brilliant campaign start and appear positioned to break their lengthy trophy drought, but a concerning injury to key defender Gabriel could disrupt the solid backline that has been central to Arsenal's strong form this season.

The 27-year-old defender, who was sidelined for 19 matches across club and international duty last campaign, picked up his most recent injury while playing for Brazil in a friendly match—coincidentally at the Emirates Stadium in a game against Senegal.

Regrettably for both Gabriel and Arsenal, initial assessments suggest cause for alarm, with the center-back possibly facing an extended period away from action.

Below is the most current injury update regarding Gabriel and the fixtures he may be forced to miss during his recovery.

Gabriel's Expected Return Timeline

Gabriel played for 64 minutes before being substituted in Brazil's 2–0 victory against Senegal, exiting the match due to a muscle problem in his right thigh. Following the game, coach Carlo Ancelotti expressed uncertainty about the defender's injury severity, but recent reporting from The Athletic has outlined a worrying potential timeline for recovery.

According to their sources, Gabriel faces a possible one to two-month rehabilitation period, though additional medical examinations are needed to fully assess the damage. In a worst-case situation, the Arsenal defender might remain unavailable until mid-January, potentially missing several important matches for his club.

Arsenal Fixtures Gabriel May Miss Due to Injury

Assuming Gabriel remains out for two months, he would be unavailable for at least 14 Arsenal fixtures—potentially increasing to 15 games if the Gunners advance to the Carabao Cup semi-final stage.

Three particularly significant matches that Gabriel will miss occur right after the international period. Arsenal welcome fierce north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur this Sunday, followed by Bayern Munich in Champions League action the subsequent Wednesday, before visiting Chelsea on Nov. 30.

The north London club has eight scheduled matches throughout December, with Gabriel potentially available for some if his absence lasts only one month. However, should the injury prove more serious, he'll miss Premier League encounters against Brentford (H), Aston Villa (A), Wolverhampton Wanderers (H), Everton (A), Brighton & Hove Albion (H) and Villa (H).

December also features a Champions League away fixture against Club Brugge and a Carabao Cup quarterfinal home match versus Crystal Palace.

Arsenal face Premier League tests against Bournemouth (A) and defending champions Liverpool (A) before Gabriel's possible January return, plus an FA Cup third round tie without their Brazilian defender. He would also be absent for the Carabao Cup semifinal first leg if Arsenal progress beyond Palace.

With numerous crucial fixtures approaching across four competitions, Arsenal will be hoping their injury concerns don't materialize into reality. Regardless, they'll be without Gabriel for the immediate future.

Potential Arsenal Fixtures Without Gabriel

*Only if Arsenal qualify for the Carabao Cup semifinal