Arsenal now face a tricky spell after Gabriel Magalhes picked up an injury during Brazil's friendly against Senegal at the Emirates, leaving Mikel Arteta without one of his most reliable defenders for some weeks, maybe even stretching into December. The timing feels harsh, especially since Gabriel had only just been praised for his standout October performances, winning Arsenal's Player of the Month as reported by Softfootball.
His absence doesn't just remove a player it unsettles the entire rhythm of a defensive line built heavily around the connection between him and William Saliba. Gabriel had been starting every Premier League match, helping Arsenal sit top of the table, and now Arteta must figure out how to reorganise things quickly. It comes right after the 2-2 draw against Sunderland .
Cristhian Mosquera seems like the first name Arteta will look at. The 21-year-old has already shown he can step in without making the team feel shaky. When he filled in for Saliba earlier in the season, especially that outing at Anfield, he looked calm enough to handle tough moments.