Arsenal: Mikel Arteta makes 'tough' admission after Gabriel season ended by injury ahead of Real Madrid tie | OneFootball

Gunners once again forced to contend with a key players missing an extended period

Mikel Arteta admitted Gabriel’s season-ending injury was “a tough one to digest” for Arsenal.

The Brazilian was forced off early in Tuesday night’s win over Fulham with a hamstring injury and the club have since confirmed that it will require surgery.

“Well it was a tough one to digest because [we] just got Bukayo back and lose Gabi,” Arteta said, speaking at his press conference ahead of Arsenal’s trip to face Everton on Saturday.

Gabriel’s absence could present Jakub Kiwior with an opportunity alongside William Saliba, although Ben White is expected to be in contention to face Real Madrid and could fill in at centre-back instead.

Riccardo Calafiori would have been the obvious option as a left-footed replacement for Gabriel, but the Italian is still out with a knee injury he picked up during the recent international break.

“We’ve come so far and now we have the most important and beautiful part of season,” Arteta said.

“We have to react. Another player will have opportunity to play. It’s a big miss but we have the resources to cope with that.”