Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes is facing a lengthy spell out injured after suffering a muscle injury in his right thigh while on international duty with Brazil.

Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes has suffered a muscle injury in his right thigh, forcing him to undergo further tests. The centre-back picked up the injury during Brazil’s friendly match against Senegal, which took place at the Emirates Stadium.

Magalhaes felt discomfort during the match and was substituted in the 65th minute, walking off the pitch while holding his leg. The early signs are not positive, with reports suggesting he could miss between one and two months.

This injury comes at a difficult time for Mikel Arteta and Arsenal, who are heading into a busy and tough part of the season as there is no international break till March.

Arteta has relied heavily on Magalhaes for stability at the back, and his absence will force the manager to adjust his plans.

The medical team will run a fresh round of checks to confirm the severity and recovery period, with Arsenal expecting a clearer update in the coming days. The early fear is that Magalhaes could miss at least four weeks, with some at the club believing his return may not come before January.

Arsenal has other players who can fill the role, including Cristhian Mosquera and Piero Hincapie, who can step into the left side of defence if required. However, Magalhaes’ leadership and experience will be greatly missed.

The team will be closely monitoring Magalhaes’ condition as they prepare for their upcoming match against Tottenham Hotspur at the Emirates Stadium.