Mikel Arteta provides Gabriel injury update as Gunners star’s mid-match gesture suggests it’s ‘not good news’

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta confirmed Gabriel will be assessed after he picked up an injury in the Gunners’ FA Cup defeat to Southampton.

The Brazilian was forced off in the 72nd minute against the Saints after he dropped to the turf at St Mary’s.

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He was replaced by William Saliba, who opted out of France’s fixtures during the international break because of an ankle injury.

Although the star centre-back exited the field unassisted, television cameras captured him sitting in the dugout with a bag of ice on his knee.

Speaking after the 2-1 loss, Arteta was hesitant about providing an exact diagnosis of Gabriel’s injury.

Arteta’s verdict on Gabriel injury

When asked what was wrong with the defender, Arteta replied: “I don’t know. I think he felt something. I don’t know exactly what it is. We’re going to have to assess him.

“But obviously when a player asks him to be substituted, it’s not good news.”

Gabriel’s injury comes after he withdrew from international duty with Brazil due to ‘pain in his right knee’.

The centre-back was called up by Brazil boss Carlo Ancelotti for their fixtures against France and Croatia but ultimately remained in north London to avoid further complications.

Gabriel has already missed nine matches across all competitions for the Gunners this term due to a hamstring issue.

Grim injury scenes for the Gunners

Arteta will hope Gabriel’s substitution was only precautionary as he already has a number of injury headaches to deal with.

Summer singing Eberechi Eze is not expected to be back until late April having sustained a calf issue during the Gunners’ Champions League tie against Bayer Leverkusen.

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Noni Madueke sent an almighty scare through Arsenal when he was seen sporting a leg brace following England’s 1-1 draw with Uruguay, but he came off the bench against the Saints.

There is also concern over defender Piero Hincapie, who withdrew from international duty with Ecuador midway through the international break.

Arteta is already having to make do without clutch midfielder Mikel Merino after he suffered a broken bone in his foot in February.

Double trophy trouble

A pile-up of injuries is also the last thing Arteta needs now that his side have just two trophies to play for.

There was talk the Gunners could have been on for the quadruple, but those hopes were extinguished with a 2-0 loss to Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final.

A shock loss to Championship side Southampton in the FA Cup means only the Premier League and Champions League remains in play for the Gunners.

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Arsenal are on course to win the Premier League given they sit in first and boast a nine-point advantage over second-placed City with seven games remaining.

However, Pep Guardiola’s side could shrink the gap to six points given they have a game in hand.

The Gunners also remain alive in the Champions League and will face Sporting in the quarter-finals, with the first leg to be played on April 7.