Arteta gives worrying injury update on Gabriel after Arsenal star is forced off against Chelsea
ARSENAL boss Mikel Arteta has issued a worrying update about defender Gabriel after he was forced off during their 3-1 win over Chelsea.
The Brazilian centre-back, 25, went down twice before being replaced by Rob Holding in the 85th minute of the Gunners’ victory at the Emirates on Tuesday evening.
And Arteta did not alleviate Arsenal fans’ fears with his post-match comments.
When asked about the Brazilian’s injury, the Spaniard replied: “He wasn’t comfortable.
“We tried for 10 or 15 minutes but he could not carry on which is strange for Gabi.
“So we are a bit concerned about that because normally he’s not one who wants to leave the pitch.”
Gabriel‘s injury scare comes at a time when Arsenal are already without their other first-choice centre-half, William Saliba.
The Frenchman, 22, has been sidelined since March and could miss the rest of the season.
Holding, 27, had replaced him in recent weeks as Arteta’s men went on a four-game winless run.
But he was then taken out for the Chelsea clash and replaced by Polish defender Jakub Kiwior.
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Speaking about 23-year-old Kiwior’s first start for Arsenal, Arteta said: “He looked ready, he looked fresh.
“He looked really determined, he’s been getting better and better every single day. Not only training but his interaction, his language, he is more settled and is a player that I really like which is why we signed him.
“He’s got the potential at his age to be great and I think he had a big task against the players he had to face today and I think he did really well.”
But while £21million January signing Kiwior impressed against Chelsea, a run of seven games without a clean sheet will concern Arteta.
And next up for the Premier League leaders is a trip to in-form Newcastle.
The Gunners hold a two-point advantage over Manchester City but have played two games more.