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Mikel Arteta and Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers alike are hoping to have Arsenal defender Gabriel back from injury as soon as possible.
Matty Hewitt Football Writer 13:45, 26 Dec 2025
Gabriel Magalhaes is a doubt for Arsenal against Brighton in their Premier League match this weekend. The Brazil international has been a mainstay for Mikel Arteta and Fantasy Premier League managers in recent years, but he's still recovering from injury.
The 28-year-old picked up a hamstring injury on international duty with the Selecao, having made a bright start to the season.
Gabriel has formed an impressive centre-back partnership with William Saliba, while the pair have been integral to Arsenal's brilliant defensive record in recent seasons.
However, he's not played since November's international break, but is nearing a return to full fitness. With that in mind, football.london has taken a look at the latest regarding Gabriel's injury, plus what manager Arteta has said about a potential return;
Is Gabriel fit to play for Arsenal against Brighton?
No. Gabriel is not expected to return for the clash with Brighton having missed the Gunners last nine games. The defender has not featured since sustaining a setback while playing for Brazil in a friendly against Senegal.
What has Mikel Arteta said about Gabriel's injury?
Gabriel is a key part of Arsenal's stellar defensive unit and his return has, naturally, been a hot-topic for Arteta during recent press conferences.
When asked about his injury, Arteta said: "He's pushing hard - as he always does every time he's out - and he's evolving really well. He's doing pitch sessions, so he's not too far.
"We have to see in the next stages of that rehab how he progresses, but we are quite positive about it."
When is FPL's deadline on Game Week 18?
The festive season is always a busy time for FPL, with multiple game weeks happening in rapid succession over just a few days. So don't be caught off guard!
The deadline for tonight is set for 6.30pm on Friday, December 26. Then there's another swift turnaround for Game Week 19, with the cut-off point scheduled for Tuesday, December 30.
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