Mikel Arteta has no excuses despite Gabriel injury striking ahead of tough five-game run

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Managers constantly reiterate the importance of squad depth. When fringe players are unhappy, they are reassured their time will come. That time has come for Arsenal – and Mikel Arteta has no excuses.

The news that Gabriel Magalhaes has picked up an injury while playing for Brazil was the kind Arsenal supporters were dreading. The centre-back will undergo further tests to assess the extent of his thigh injury, but initial reports suggest Gabriel may have played his last game of 2025.

International breaks often throw unwanted curveballs at Premier League managers, who are forced to react to the hand they have been dealt. Arteta is no stranger to injuries this season, with Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz having been long-term absentees while captain Martin Odegaard has endured a frustrating season so far and Noni Madueke has been out since a bright start with the club.

But even before we know the timeline, the injury to Gabriel is arguably the biggest blow yet. The Brazilian centre-back has been exceptional this season, commanding the tightest defence in Europe, while also returning two goals and three assists in 17 games. He is a leader at the back, dominant in the air and the Gunners’ most effective weapon from attacking set pieces.

His injury comes at an inopportune moment, with Arsenal about to face Tottenham in the North London Derby on Sunday ahead of a seriously testing run against Bayern Munich, Chelsea, Brentford and Aston Villa in the lead-up to the frenetic Christmas period.

The timing is inarguably bad. But it is also inarguable that Arsenal can cope . They are top of the Premier League table, joint-top of the Champions League table and in rude health after bringing in eight new players in the summer transfer window.

Kepa Arrizabalaga, Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard, Noni Madueke, Cristhian Mosquera, Viktor Gyokeres, Eberechi Eze and Piero Hincapie all joined in the summer for a cost of around £260million, with Hincapie on loan and his £45m permanent fee delayed until next summer. Their arrivals have provided depth that no other Premier League team can match.

Arteta has wisely already blooded Mosquera this season. The £13m signing from Valencia has made 12 appearances so far and looked assured in all of them. He is more than capable of partnering William Saliba for the coming matches – and when he needs a rest there is still yet more cover.

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Hincapie is comfortable playing centre-back as well as left-back and is likely next in line. But Arteta’s love of playing central defenders at full-back means that Ben White and Jurrien Timber could also be drafted in at centre-back if required. It might even free up left-back for Myles Lewis-Skelly to get the minutes he craves after missing out on the latest England squad.

This is why Arsenal splashed the cash in the summer. They now have at least two excellent players for each position, as well as some exciting young prospects coming through. Speaking after the 2-0 win over Olympiakos last month, Arteta explained the difference between this season and 2024/25.

“With all respect, last season we were looking [at the bench] and we had five academy players there, that probably never played professional football in the Champions League, so it makes a difference,” he said after getting a comfortable win despite making six changes.

It certainly does make a difference. And now it is time for Arteta to prove it. If they can continue their pre-international break momentum in the coming weeks without Gabriel, and then navigate their way through the notoriously tricky Christmas period and still be top of the Premier League in the New Year, then a first title since 2003/04 could be within their grasp.

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