Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is facing a nervous wait on the fitness of four of his defenders ahead of next week’s Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid.
Despite being boosted by the goalscoring return of Bukayo Saka, Arsenal’s 2-1 win over Fulham was marred by an injury to key defender Gabriel Magalhaes in the first half.
Arteta said: “Gabi felt something in his hamstring. We don’t know how big that is.”
Arsenal injury news
Fellow Jurrien Timber was also injured during the win at the Emirates, with Ben White and Riccardo Califiori already sidelined as long-term absentee Takehiro Tomiyasu remains out.
It leaves Jakub Kiwior as the only fit centre-back alongside William Saliba. The Poland international has started just twice in the Premier League this season.
“The good thing is that it’s been like this the whole season,” said Arteta. How we have managed to be where we are with all those injuries, Ben White hasn’t participated at all this season. It’s what it is.
“We’ve lost four players in the defensive line in one week – Calafiori, Ben White, Jurrien and Gabi Magalhaes.
“You can imagine with those four players in the defensive line in one week. So Calafiori, Ben White, Jurrien and Gabriel.
“We have still another four that are so willing that they will do their job. We want it so much that we’re going to give it a real go and we are very excited for the next week.”
Arsenal travel to Everton on Saturday lunchtime before hosting Real in the first leg next Tuesday, with the return leg the following Wednesday after facing Brentford in the Premier League.
