Brazil announce Gabriel withdrawal due to injury but Arsenal fears eased

Brazil have announced that Arsenal defender Gabriel has left their squad with an injury.

The centre-back has been a defensive rock for the Gunners this season, with he and William Saliba forming a reliable duo.

Gabriel played the entirety of their Champions League last 16 win against Porto last Tuesday.

He was named in Brazil’s squad for upcoming friendlies against England and Spain but has now been omitted.

Head coach Dorival Junior made the announcement on Monday, with the injury not yet known.

“Unfortunately, Gabriel Magalhaes is uncalled. In his place, we are calling [Gleison] Bremer, from Juventus Turin, from Italy,” he said.

However, Daily Mail reporter Sami Mokbel says the injury is not serious and the withdrawal is more of a ‘precaution’, although he has been dealing with a foot issue.

Gabriel has made just six appearances for Brazil, with his debut coming as recently as last September.

He has played in all of their World Cup qualification games for the 2026 tournament, scoring in a 1-1 draw with Venezuela.

With Arsenal, Gabriel has made 38 appearances in all competitions this season, with starts coming in 36 of those matches.

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He is one of the first names on the team sheet for Mikel Arteta given his dominant presence in the backline.

Gabriel has sustained his fitness for much of the campaign and has been named on the bench in the Premier League just four times.

However, he is now set for a period of recovery as the Gunners pause action ahead of the final weeks of the season.

Arsenal remain top of the Premier League table and level on points with Liverpool, although sit ahead of them via goal difference.

Their first game back after the international break comes away at Manchester City, who are just one point behind them in third.