Arsenal’s season just got a whole lot tougher. Defender Gabriel Magalhães is out for the rest of the year after the club confirmed he needs surgery on his thigh.
The injury happened during Tuesday’s 2-1 win over Fulham at Emirates Stadium. Gabriel had to be subbed out in the first half. He’s been a key player for Arsenal this season, starting 28 of their 30 Premier League games.
The club says Gabriel is focused on getting back on the field. He’ll have surgery soon and start rehab right away, aiming to be ready for next season.
A Big Hole in the Back
Losing Gabriel could be a big problem for Arsenal’s defense. When he’s not playing, the team’s win rate takes a hit. According to Premier League Injuries, Arsenal wins 63.5% of games with Gabriel on the field. Without him, that number drops to 40.9%.
Here’s how the numbers break down:
- With Gabriel: 63.5% win rate in 159 games
- Without Gabriel: 40.9% win rate in 22 games
Now, Arsenal needs to find a way to fill the gap left by Gabriel’s injury. They’re still fighting for a spot in the UEFA Champions League, where they’ll face Real Madrid in the quarterfinals.