Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has all but confirmed that Gabriel will miss the FA Cup clash against Chelsea after having sustained a nasty knee injury during their 3-1 win over Everton on Sunday.
The Gunners managed to earn a hard-fought victory against Ronald Koeman’s side despite being a man down for much of the game, but this was not sufficient to assure Champions League football for next season.
Both Manchester City and Liverpool comfortably won their last games of the campaign, thereby holding the Gunners to fifth place – for the first time under Arsene Wenger.
Standing skipper Laurent Koscielny ruled himself out of the Cup clash against Chelsea after his red card challenge on Enner Valencia in the first quarter of the game.
Things got worse in the second period as Gabriel slid in awkwardly on a tackle on Valencia again, and he appeared to have instantly suffered a damage to his left knee.
Following the game, Wenger confirmed Gabriel would most likely miss Saturday’s game against the Premier League champions with the injury being on the serious side.
“Koscielny’s red? It was harsh but we have to accept the decision,” he is quoted as saying on The Star. “Gabriel’s injury looks quite serious, especially for next Saturday.”
Contract rebel Alexis Sanchez also hobbled off holding his leg midway through the second half, and he may have played his final game for the Gunners, should he have sustained a hamstring tear.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is the other key player on the sidelines, but the club are in good hands with Hector Bellerin having regained his confidence with the ball in recent weeks.
Arsenal will be featuring in the Europa League for the first time in their history after having previously reached the final of the old UEFA Cup in 2000, where they lost out to Galatasaray on penalties.
