Arsenal Hit by Gabriel Magalhaes Injury Blow as Title Race Heats Up
18 November 2025
Injury Update and Impact
An English press report on Tuesday details the expected absence of Brazilian defender Gabriel Magalhaes after a thigh injury picked up with Brazil during the current international window.
According to the BBC, he suffered a thigh strain in the friendly against Senegal at the Emirates Stadium, a match the Samba won 2-0.
BBC adds he will be out for at least four weeks, with a possible return in January.
Magalhaes, 27, has returned to Arsenal for treatment and further assessment.
The Gunners travel to face their North London rivals Tottenham in Week 12 of the Premier League.
Magalhaes joined Arsenal in 2020 from Lille and has since become a key pillar for Arteta’s defense.
He has been one of Arsenal’s standout players this season, featuring in 17 matches across all competitions with two goals and three assists.
Arsenal sit top of the Premier League on 26 points, four clear of Manchester City.
He previously suffered a hamstring injury in April, ruling him out for more than three months.
The injury is a blow as Arsenal prepare for matches against Tottenham and Chelsea this month, and host Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Nov 26.
He has become the second Arsenal defender sidelined recently, after Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso confirmed Ricardo Calafiori left camp with an injury.
Also sidelined are winger Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli, along with attacking midfielder Martin Odegaard.
Meanwhile striker Gabriel Jesus has returned to training after a knee ligament tear in January but has yet to feature in competitive matches.
Arsenal’s defense remains solid, with a compact backline and depth that can cover for absences, while the club emphasizes patience during Magalhaes’s recovery.
The defense is anchored by goalkeeper David Raya and a backline including Jurriën Timber, William Saliba, Gabriel, and Ricardo Calafiori.
In 17 games this season across all competitions, Arsenal have kept 13 clean sheets, and conceded five goals in their last nine matches, with five conceded in the Premier League.
On the attacking side, they have netted 20 league goals, 12 from set-pieces, with Manchester City the only side ahead on 23.
Arsenal also boast squad depth after reportedly spending around £250m in the summer window, helping them withstand long injury lists to players like Jesus, Havertz, Odegaard, Saka, and others.
Saka told Sky Sports: "This year we feel very strong as a group and have a lot of quality."
He added that despite injuries the players involved have proven they can maintain top-level performance and push for the title.
City and Liverpool remain the main title contenders, though City have fluctuated early in the season and Liverpool recently beat Aston Villa after a rough patch before losing to City again.
Numbers in support show a bright outlook for Arsenal. Last season Liverpool clinched the title with 84 points, Arsenal finished second with 74. This season Arsenal are on 26 from 33 and Opta suggests they could reach about 80, 11 points clear of City and Liverpool at 69 each.
If that happens, a title could require as few as 70 points, the lowest total since the Premier League began in 1992. Manchester United hold the record for the lowest winning tally with 75 points in 1996-97.
Sky Sports puts Arsenal’s title chances at 66%, ahead of City (12%) and Liverpool (11%), underscoring confidence in Arteta’s setup.
