Arsenal’s hopes of progressing in the Champions League took a hit as manager Mikel Arteta revealed that centre-back Gabriel Magalhaes could miss next week’s quarter-final showdown with Real Madrid due to a hamstring injury. The Brazilian limped off just 15 minutes into Arsenal’s 2-1 Premier League victory over Fulham at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday, compounding an already injury-ravaged season for the Gunners.
The situation worsened in the second half when Dutch full-back Jurrien Timber was also forced off with a knee issue, leaving Arteta grappling with a mounting defensive crisis. Speaking to reporters post-match, the Arsenal boss confirmed that both players would undergo assessments on Wednesday to determine the severity of their injuries. “Gabby felt something in his hamstring, we don’t know how big that is,” Arteta said. “Jurrien was struggling very early in the game, he managed to continue but at some point he couldn’t.”
The injuries add to a torrid week for Arsenal’s backline, with Arteta noting that the club has suffered four defensive setbacks in just seven days. Riccardo Calafiori, 22, picked up an injury while on international duty with Italy, and right-back Ben White, who has barely featured this season, is sidelined again. The Gunners are already without full-back Takehiro Tomiyasu for the remainder of the campaign, alongside forwards Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus, who are nursing hamstring and cruciate ligament injuries, respectively.
Arteta, visibly frustrated, admitted he had never encountered such an extensive injury list in his managerial career. “No… but it is what it is,” he said, reflecting on a season plagued by long-term absences of key players. With Arsenal set to face Everton away on Saturday before hosting Real Madrid on April 8 in a pivotal Champions League tie, the timing could not be worse. The European competition represents Arsenal’s most tangible shot at silverware in a frustrating campaign.
As Arteta awaits medical updates, the Gunners’ depleted squad faces a stern test against a formidable Real Madrid side, putting their resilience—and depth—to the ultimate challenge.
