Treatment given to Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes suggests that he’s not set to miss a long period of time with injury – an expert injury expert has revealed. The defender was taken off in the second half against Liverpool on Sunday afternoon after going down holding the back of his knee.
Gabriel felt the full force of Darwin Nunez’s leg going into his own and went down immediately. Not only did he need medical help from physios, Arsenal’s club doctor was also sent out, indicating that it was a big worry.
After a brief return the pitch, Gabriel was on the floor again and had to be helped off by David Raya and backroom staff as he hobbled from play. That left Mikel Arteta with Thomas Partey at right-back – where he started the match – and Ben White partnering Jakub Kiwior in the centre.
Before long it was teenager Miles Lewis-Skelly on the left instead of Timber. He appeared to be suffering from cramp as an intense return to domestic football after three weeks out took its toll. Arsenal would concede just over 10 minutes later with the goal coming down the side of Lewis-Skelly, now tasked with stopping Mohamed Salah.
For Arteta it is a continuation of the troubles which have plagued their season to date. Riccardo Calafiori missed the game with a knee injury of his own picked up in midweek. It isn’t expected to be as serious as captain Martin Odegaard’s ankle problem keeping him side-lined, but may well rule him out for the trip to Newcastle which is on the horizon.
As for Gabriel, analysis from online X (formerly Twitter) account, Physio Scout, is positive, to a point. “Gabriel Magalhaes went off in Arsenal vs. Liverpool with a knee injury”, they write. “He tried to play on, but couldn’t.
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“Physio was seen performing a bunch of tests, with the valgus stress test being the most aggravating. This likely indicates an injury to the MCL [medial collateral ligament]. He was also seen palpating around that inner knee area.
“Injury most likely happened in the tangle with Darwin Nunez minutes early, putting stress around the knee joint.” The account adds that potential recovery time for a Grade 1 injury is between one and two weeks. That is what Calafiori is thought to be dealing with.
Grade 2 and it becomes more problematic, with three to six weeks on the scale. Physio Scout finishes: “Likely it isn’t a grade 3 here, more likely a minor or moderate strain to the MCL. Let’s hope just a grade 1.”
Speaking afterwards, Arteta had little good news to offer. “I don’t know, but he could not run,” he said. “I don’t know what happened. I don’t know if it’s the knee joint or the ankle.
“They’re assessing him now so [touches wood, the desk].”
Gabriel has since posted online, saying, [Translated] “In everything give thanks… [raised hands and bicep emojis]”. Alongside that was a picture of his leg in a compression sleeve, a typical recovery tool.
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