Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta has revealed that the club can cope against Real Madrid, and their remaining games of the season without the injured Gabriel ahead of the defining stage of the season.
Gabriel suffered a hamstring injury against Fulham on Tuesday and has been ruled out of the season.
The Brazilian defender has formed an impressive partnership with William Saliba in the heart of the club’s defence, and he also scores important goals for the club.
Gabriel’s injury is a big blow to Arsenal as they prepare to take on Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-final on Tuesday.
Arteta said the team can cope with Gabriel’s absence, urging other players to step up to help the team.
He said: “It was a tough one to digest because we just got Bukayo [Saka] back [from a hamstring injury] and then we lost Gabi. It was tough but the team reacted like they have all season,” Arteta told a news conference on Friday.
“Really proud of that, and we know he is going to be out for a while. We need to find different solutions and keep competing like we have been all season.
“We’ve come so far and now we have the most important, beautiful part of the season. We have to react to those things. That means that other players are going to have opportunities to play. The team has to find other ways. It is undoubtedly a big miss but we have the resources to cope with that.”
Arteta also confirmed that the duo of Jurrien Timber, and Ben White are in contention to face Everton on Saturday but Riccardo Calafiori is out.
He said: “Ricky is not fit, and that means in the last week or so we have lost four players and that’s obviously a big task.
“But let’s see how Ben and Jurrien are tomorrow. There’s a chance [they could be fit]. That’s it – we must keep playing and competing the way we have been.
“We have a few of those [calls], so we’re going to have to decide this evening or tomorrow very early in the morning which players we can play and for how long especially.
“There are a few [options] on the table. How far we have to go down that route, hopefully not that deep, but there are always options.”
Arsenal will be hoping to keep up the chase with Liverpool in the Premier League title race as the Reds sit 12 points clear of the Gunners in second.
Liverpool will be in action against Fulham on Sunday at the Craven Cottage.
