Arsenal are in for a nervy wait after Gabriel Magalhaes was substituted by Brazil with an injury during their friendly against Senegal.
The towering centre-back, who is in the best form of his life for The Gunners, clutched his groin as he was hooked by Carlo Ancelotti under the lights at the Emirates.
He appeared in some discomfort after taking a knock on the 63rd-minute during the match held in North London, where he has put on some exceptional performances throughout this season.
Flanked by medical staff, Gabriel slowly trudged off the pitch and looked dismayed as he was replaced by Roma defender Wesley.
The 27-year-old was met by a rapturous applause as he limped behind the goal in deep discussions with the national team’s medics.
It will serve as a worry to Mikel Arteta, who faces losing his in-form centre-back ahead of crunch ties against Tottenham, Bayern Munich and Chelsea over the coming weeks.
The defender had been part of an impressive Brazil performance, the latest in a line of the nation’s matches held at The Emirates.
The Selecao have already qualified for the World Cup and were playing Senegal in a friendly, with Gabriel’s appearance set to provide a bonus to any Arsenal fans who wanted to visit.
But the defender now faces a period on the injury table, having come into this season after recovering from a hamstring injury suffered in April which kept him out for months.
Gabriel has been key to Arsenal’s iron-clad performances this season, securing seven clean sheets in 11 games. He has also been ever the threat going forward, scoring twice already for Arteta’s men.
Brazil’s match against Senegal was the ninth time they have played at the Emirates.
A statement on Arsenal’s website last week branded the arena as ‘Brazil’s home, away from home’
It adds: ‘The Selecao have had a close connection with our home since we moved from Highbury in 2006, facing a host of nations from across the globe in that time.’
