Arsenal fans have expressed their frustrations after Gabriel was ruled out of the season following a hamstring injury he sustained against Fulham on Tuesday.
He was replaced in the first half by Jakub Kiwior after he appeared to pull his hamstring.
Gabriel has been a key player for the club with his impressive performances and his occasional match-winning goals in crucial moments.
He has started 28 out 30 Premier League matches for Arsenal this season, underscoring his importance to the team.
The Gunners released a statement on their website on Thursday that the Brazilian defender will require surgery, while ruling him out of the season.
The statement reads: “Further to being substituted during our match against Fulham on Tuesday, we can confirm that Gabriel Magalhaes has sustained a hamstring injury which requires surgery.
“Gabi will undergo a surgical repair procedure to his hamstring in the coming days, and immediately begin his recovery and rehabilitation programme, with the aim to be ready for the start of next season.”
Arsenal’s win percentage when Gabriel is playing is 60.5% compared to 40.9 % when he is absent.
Arsenal’s supporters have taken to social media to voice out their discontent after another injury to a major player at the business end of the season.
Arteta’s men just welcome back Bukayo Saka, who was out injured for three months with the likes of Gabriel Jesus, and Kai Havertz ruled out of the season.
The Gunners den asked salient questions, while blaming the club’s medical team, urging them to improve ahead of next season.
He wrote on X: “Gabriel’s is the fourth hamstring injury to players this season with three of these requiring surgeries. This should be a source of serious concern and some critical questions need to be asked.
“Are players being overworked? Do they get the required recovery time? or is it fixture congestion? The prevalence of so many soft tissue injuries this season also doesn’t paint the medical team in good light and things need to improve so that we don’t derail the upcoming season.”
Visivo Sports blamed Mikel Arteta for overloading the players without having a large squad to rotate them.
He wrote on X: “Mikel Arteta is a great coach and what he has done with the players available this season is an absolute miracle. He is not a great manager. Refusing to buy cover and overloading his first eleven every season is why he fails and will continue to do so.”
Owulo Jonah described Gabriel’s injury as a setback for the club ahead of a defining time of the season.
He wrote on X: “This is a huge setback for Arsenal, especially with the tight schedule ahead. Gabriel has been key at the back this season. Hopefully, the team can step up in his absence, but it’s going to be a tough challenge. Wishing him a speedy recovery.”
Football Journalist Pooja blamed Mikel Arteta for overloading the players for the incessant hamstring injuries.
He wrote on X: The workloads of Arteta on his players are tearing their hamstrings, and there is no choice but to undergo surgery for a quick recovery. The most used players under him in the last three years have suffered the same fate: Saka and now Gabriel.”
Themmy was disappointed about Gabriel’s injury, lamenting the timing while also making reference to the injuries suffered by Bukayo Saka, and Martin Odegaard.
He wrote on X: Why always Arsenal? Why does luck always go against us, same thing happened to Saka when we needed him the most, same thing Odegaard. Now it’s our main man at the back. This hurts so bad thinking about our clash with Madrid next week. Get well soon Gabby.”
Rufus Ekwo wished Gabriel quick recovery while urging Jakub Kiwior to step up in his place.
He wrote on Facebook: “Get well warrior. Too many games played and legs are tired. Still work to be done too to get another great player like him in that position because Kiwior can’t measure. Rotation is needed with equal quality.”
Arsenal have battled with injuries to key players this season with the likes of Martin Odegaard, Gabriel Martinelli, Jurriel Timber, and Bukayo Saka all missing in action at some point in the season.
Kai Havertz, and Gabriel Jesus are out of the season.
Gabriel’s injury is a major blow to Arsenal’s hopes of ending the season with a silverware, especially ahead of their Champions League clash against Real Madrid next week.
The Gunners have conceded the least goals in the Premier League with 25 goals in 30 games.
