Gabriel injured! Arsenal star picks up right knee pain as he withdraws from Brazil squad

Gabriel injured! Arsenal star picks up right knee pain as he withdraws from Brazil squad

Arsenal defender Gabriel has withdrawn from the Brazil squad this week after suffering a knee injury.

Gabriel becomes the fifth player to withdraw from international duty following the news that Jurrien Timber, Eberechi Eze, William Saliba and Leandro Trossard will all stay in North London to rest and recover.

The Brazilian Football Confederation announced that Gabriel would not join up with the side for their friendlies against France and Croatia, citing a right knee issue.

"Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalh3es is out of the friendlies against France and Croatia. Following the match this Sunday (22) against Manchester City in the final of the English League Cup, the player complained of pain in his right knee.

"Imaging scans confirmed that Gabriel Magalh3es is not fit for the matches in this FIFA international window. No other player will be called up to replace him."

This news also follows Martin Odegaard not being called up by Norway as well as Estevao being left out the Brazil side as both players recover from injuries.

Arsenal face Southampton in the FA Cup quarter-finals on Saturday when the international break is over before they clash with Sporting in the Champions League just 3 days later.

Manager Mikel Arteta will hope many of his players will be able to recover before club football returns as they chase down a treble and their first trophy since 2020.