As Arsenal prepares to host Tottenham Hotspur in the North London Derby on October 1, 2023, manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed that defender Gabriel Magalhaes will definitely miss the match due to injury. The Brazilian player sustained his injury while on international duty with Brazil and is expected to be sidelined for several weeks.
Arteta provided an update on the situation during a press conference, where he highlighted both concerns and hopeful developments regarding the fitness of several key players. While the absence of Gabriel presents a significant challenge for the Gunners, there remains optimism for the return of several attacking players who could influence the outcome of this crucial fixture at the Emirates Stadium.
Injury Updates and Squad Fitness
Arteta revealed that Riccardo Calafiori has also not yet trained with the squad after returning early from national duty with Italy. The manager stated, “We need another scan,” referring to Gabriel’s condition, which is scheduled for next Wednesday. He added, “We will have a time that is much more clear than at the moment.” Regarding Calafiori, Arteta noted, “He wasn’t available, he’s been carrying a few things and we had to bring him back. He hasn’t trained yet. We have a session tomorrow, so we will see.”
Despite these defensive setbacks, Arteta remains hopeful about the potential return of several attacking players. The manager indicated that significant effort has been put into ensuring that Martin Ødegaard, Viktor Gyokeres, Gabriel Martinelli, and Noni Madueke may be fit for selection against Tottenham. He stressed the importance of their recovery, saying, “We put a lot of energy in the international break with the medical staff to try to bring them back as quickly as possible.”
Awaiting Key Player Availability
With the derby approaching, Arsenal fans are left in suspense regarding the availability of their key forwards. Arteta refrained from confirming whether any of the players would be ready to join the squad. “Tomorrow we have another training session to see,” he remarked, leaving the door open for late fitness tests before the match.
As Arsenal gears up for one of its most important fixtures of the season, the impact of these injury concerns could play a decisive role in the outcome of the match against their arch-rivals, Tottenham. The club will look to put together a formidable lineup despite the challenges, as they aim to secure vital points in the Premier League.
Sunday’s encounter promises to be an intense showdown, and the condition of the players will certainly influence the dynamics on the pitch. Fans and analysts alike will closely follow the team’s final training session, hoping for the best possible news ahead of the big match.
