Arsenal

Arsenal: Charles Watts discusses Gabriel Magalhaes latest

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Image for Arsenal: Charles Watts discusses Gabriel Magalhaes latest

Goal’s Arsenal correspondent Charles Watts has recently discussed the latest regarding the Gunners’ Brazilian defender Gabriel Magalhaes.

For Mikel Arteta’s side’s previous two matches in the Premier League, the 23-year-old centre-back has not been included in the matchday squad (per Transfermarkt).

The player missed both of those games as he had to isolate in accordance to the Premier League’s current virus protocols (per Football.london).

On Monday, the Gunners released a squad update which revealed that Gabriel had also tested positive for the virus (per Arsenal).

During the latest video uploaded on Charles Watts’ YouTube channel, the journalist discussed the latest on the Brazilian central defender.

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In what month did Mikel Arteta take over as the Arsenal boss?

He said: “Obviously, Gabriel has now tested positive. He was in close contact with someone who had the virus; that’s why he didn’t play against Chelsea.

“At that point, he hadn’t tested positive but now he has, so he’s in isolation as per government regulations. The regulations state you’ve got to be isolating for 10 days from the date of your positive test.

“So, you look at that and think he’s certainly going to miss the next two games – that was going to be the case, anyway – but he could well even be back for the Newcastle FA Cup game.

“The first Premier League game that he’ll be back available for is the [Crystal Palace] game on January 14th, I think it is, at the Emirates.

“So, a bit of a blow, but the good thing is I thought Pablo Mari came in and played very well against Chelsea. He’s only going to get better [with] the more game time he gets, so that’s a decent position to be in.”

TIF Thoughts on what Charles Watts said about Gabriel Magalhaes…

As can be seen in what the journalist had to say, the earliest Gabriel will be back for the Gunners is the match against the Toon on 9th January.

Would you say Gabriel Magalhaes is a key player for Arsenal?

Yes, he will be missed

Yes, he will be missed

No, we will be fine

No, we will be fine

It will likely come as a blow for Arteta that he will be without the central defender for a couple of matches as he has been a key performer in the Premier League.

Having picked up a 6.81/10 performance rating over 12 league appearances this term, the Brazilian has been the joint-best-performing player in the Arsenal’s squad (per WhoScored).

So, hopefully, for the north London club, Gabriel is back in action as soon as possible.

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