Ian Wright raises Gabriel ‘season-ending injury’ fear as Arsenal suffer new setback | Football

Ian Wright fears Gabriel Magalhaes could miss the rest of Arsenal’s season after he was forced off with an injury during the Premier League match against Fulham on Tuesday night.

The Brazilian defended pulled up with a hamstring complaint after sprinting back during an early Fulham counter-attack in the first half at the Emirates Stadium.

Gabriel was replaced by Jakub Kiwior after just 16 minutes as Arsenal went on to go a goal ahead through Mikel Merino’s deflected effort.

Arsenal are now due to play Everton at Goodison Park on Saturday before the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie at home to Real Madrid next Tuesday.

But Wright believes Arsenal will now be without Gabriel for an extended period of time.

‘It is very concerning because for me, the way he’s pulled up, that’s not two weeks,’ Wright told Premier League Productions.

‘That’s like six weeks at least, could be out for the season, depending what happens with Arsenal.

‘But that’s a massive blow for us, with him and without him there’s a massive difference.

‘He is someone that is vital to what Arsenal are doing.’

Wright’s fellow pundit, former Arsenal, Chelsea and England midfielder Karen Carney added: ‘I think when you’re chasing [Adama] Traore in the first 15 minutes, I think that’s when he started to really stretch himself. You saw him pull up straight away.

‘It’s worrying because of how many injuries Arsenal have to hamstrings, and it’s even more worrying because in seven days’ time they’re going to be playing Real Madrid and you need this guy in your team, so it is a bit concerning.

‘Consistency, the pairing of the centre-backs, his physicality, his mentality, his standards, in every good team you need to have two solid, consistent centre-backs.

‘It would be a huge blow if it was a long-term thing.

For more stories like this, check our sport page.

Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on
Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

MORE: Paul Parker names shock player ‘one of the best Premier League midfielders’

MORE: England captain Harry Kane speaks out over Liverpool transfer links

MORE: Nani gutted Chelsea signed ‘unbelievable’ player ahead of Man Utd