Social Media Doctor Gives Positive Gabriel Injury Update After Defender Went Off Holding His Knee In Arsenal’s Draw With Liverpool

Arsenal defender Gabriel’s injury appears not to be a serious one, according to a physical therapy doctor on social media.

The Brazilian was substituted in the second half during Arsenal’s 2-2 draw with Liverpool on Sunday, leaving Mikel Arteta with a makeshift back four.

Thomas Partey played the whole game at right-back while Ben White shifted inside to centre-back to cover for the suspended William Saliba.

Jakub Kiwior replaced the injured Gabriel, while 18-year-old Myles Lewis-Skelly – a nominal midfielder – filled in at left back after replacing Jurrien Timber, who also hobbled off.

Liverpool’s late equaliser consequently came from exploiting Arsenal’s weakened left-hand side of defence, when Trent Alexander-Arnold sent the ball down the flank for Darwin Nunez to chase and latch onto before squaring it to the ever-clinical Mo Salah.

Gabriel Injury Update

Gabriel was taken off with half an hour to go following a collision with Nunez, and appeared to be nursing his left knee as he limped off the pitch.

Speaking after the game, Arteta wasn’t sure on the extent of the injury: “I don’t know, but he could not run,” their head coach 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 broke silence on Instagram on Monday, posting an image of his leg being supported by a cushion and a compression sleeve, with the caption, “In everything give thanks [translated]… [raised hands and bicep emojis]”.

Since then, social media physical therapy doctor Dr. Rajpal Brar has given some insight into what the recovery method could hint towards in terms of the severity of Gabriel’s injury.

@3cbPerformance posted, “Looks like a GameReady or similar icing device that helps reduce pain and helps with swelling. Often used to manage mild injuries so this is a good sign.”

He then followed it up with, “I’d be surprised if he isn’t ready for the weekend but, as always, TBD.”

I’d be surprised if he isn’t ready for the weekend but, as always, TBD

— Dr. Rajpal Brar, DPT (@3cbPerformance) October 28, 2024

It remains to be seen whether the Brazilian will be available to play against Newcastle next weekend, as Arsenal’s tricky run of fixtures continues.

Before that though, the Gunners head to Deepdale to play Preston North End in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night.