Overnight, Arsenal’s hopes of having their stars return from the international break without any injuries were dashed.

Prior to the first international break, Thomas Partey’s absence allayed the Gunners’ injury concerns from the first month of the season. The midfielder missed the 3-1 victory over Manchester United and is anticipated to be out for several weeks with a groin issue.

Mikel Arteta’s injury worries could be about to get worse following Gabriel Magalhaes’ outing for Brazil overnight. The centre-back partnered Paris Saint-Germain star Marquinhos in Fernando Diniz’s backline in their 2026 World Cup qualifier against Bolivia.

Brazil won 5-1 to kickstart their qualification campaign in perfect fashion, yet Arsenal will be sweating on the fitness of Gabriel after he was replaced in the 85th minute and pictured with ice on his thigh on his national team debut.

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Gabriel Magalhaes was forced off in Brazil’s 5-1 win over Bolivia to hand Arsenal another injury concern

Earlier in the game, the Gunners star was on the receiving end of a horror challenge from Bolivia’s Diego Ibanez in the fifth minute. Ibanez’s attempt to win the ball went completely wrong, striking Gabriel in the chest with his right knee.

Gabriel stayed on and played another 80 minutes in South America. Physical therapy doctor, Dr. Rajpal Brar, provided a brief update on his initial assessment of the injury. On Twitter, he wrote: “Thigh issue for Arsenal CB Gabriel Magalhaes. Unsure if it’s contact related or a muscle pull.”

He later provided another update: “Based on what multiple people have told me, sounds contact related. Overall good news.”

Arsenal and Arteta will be hopeful that the 25-year-old will be fit enough to return to London Colney ahead of the return of Premier League football next weekend. The Gunners travel to Goodison Park to face Everton next Sunday with Brazil facing Peru on Wednesday morning.

Should he be used in his nation’s second qualifier, Arsenal’s concerns over his fitness will be very much eased.