Arsenal icon Nacho Monreal has told GB News that Gabriel Magalhaes needs to stay sharp physically and mentally after suffering a thigh injury during the international break.
The 27-year-old, who has started every Premier League and Champions League game, was subbed off in Brazil's friendly with Senegal over the last international break.
Speaking exclusively with GB News via BetMGM, Monreal explained how much of a miss the centre-back will be for the north London side.
He told the People's Channel: "It's a big miss also for Arsenal because Gabriel is one of the best players. He's one of the best defenders.
"He and Saliba, they have a really good... And they connect really well. They know each other.
"He scored a lot of goals from set pieces."
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Gabriel Magalhaes suffered a thigh injury during the international break
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While Monreal is remembered as a consistent and reliable performer during his Arsenal years, his career was riddled with injury setbacks.
Early in his tenure, he experienced ankle problems and back issues, most notably missing nearly three weeks in the 2014/15 season due to an ankle injury.
In January 2014, he sustained a metatarsal injury following a challenge against Aston Villa, while other minor knocks, including a scare in August 2016, proved to be short-term setbacks.
Near the end of his career, while at Real Sociedad, Monreal suffered a major knee injury in August 2021, forcing him to miss the entire 2021/22 season and ultimately leading to his retirement in August 2022.
Speaking on the current Arsenal defenders setback, Monreal told Britains News Channel: "Now he's suffering a lot because when you are a player and you get injured, it's always tough because any time you go to the stadium to watch the game, you feel like a bit jealous of your team-mates.
"You would like to stay on the field, stay on the pitch, play, score goals.
"But this is football, as a football player you are going to get injured many, many times, and you need to be ready physically and of course mentally, because once you come back, you need to be at 100 per cent because otherwise you are not able to play.
"The difference between the players is minimal, so you need to be at your highest level, and I'm completely confident that Gabriel will do it."
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Arsenal icon Nacho Monreal has told GB News that Gabriel Magalhães needs to stay sharp physically and mentally
|GETTY
The Brazilian was not named in Arteta's team sheet before the game as expected.
But the Gunners have an exceptional chance to establish a commanding advantage in the title race.
Following Manchester City's 2-1 defeat at Newcastle yesterday, victory over their north London rivals would create a significant six-point gap at the summit of the Premier League table.
With Gabriel injured, Arteta named loanee Piero Hincapie in his place to face Tottenham in just his third Premier League appearance this season.
The visitors have received a boost with the return of Mohammed Kudus, Lucas Bergvall and Pape Matar Sarr to their matchday squad.
Five things to know about Mikel Arteta | REUTERSAdditionally, Randal Kolo Muani is set to feature despite his jaw injury, with the forward wearing protective headgear for the encounter.
Spurs' strong away record this season suggests they arrive at the Emirates with genuine confidence of disrupting Arsenal's title momentum.
Arsenal are seeking to achieve a feat not accomplished since 1989 by securing their fourth successive victory in the north London derby.
Such a run would mark their longest winning streak against Tottenham in this fixture for 36 years.
Arsenal have triumphed 89 times compared to Tottenham's 67 victories, with 55 matches ending in stalemates throughout their encounters.
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