Jurrien Timber sends Gabriel injury message to Arsenal team-mates ahead of Tottenham clash

• Arsenal
• Arsenal News
• Arsenal vs Tottenham Hotspur

Gabriel has been an integral part of an Arsenal who are four points clear at the top of the Premier League but he has suffered a cruel injury blow

Jurrien Timber says Arsenal now have a squad capable of dealing with Gabriel Magalhaes' devastating injury blow.

Gabriel has been an integral part of a Gunners side top of the Premier League - and one that kept a record-equalling eight clean sheets before the 2-2 draw with Sunderland last time out.

But the centre-back will miss the north London derby with Tottenham on Sunday after injuring his thigh while playing for Brazil last weekend.

Timber, however, has highlighted the squad's strength in depth as they target another statement victory at the Emirates Stadium.

He said: "Look at our defenders. I’ve played centre-back, Riccardo (Calafiori) played centre-back, Myles (Lewis-Skelly) was midfielder, Ben White was a centre-back – Piero (Hincapie) and Cristhian (Mosquera) as well can play anywhere.

“There is less difference between those defensive positions now. With Manchester City too, we saw it with Nathan Ake who I know from my national team. He played centre-back, left-back. Then when I played against City, (Manuel) Akanji was at left-back.

"When I first came to Arsenal, I came as a right-back or a right centre-back. I’d never played left-back, but in my first game, that’s where I was. Like I say, you just evolve with the team."

Arsenal's eight consecutive clean sheets matched a 122-year-old club record, but they conceded two at Sunderland before the international break.

Timber says it's a team effort and added: "So far, so good. We need to keep it going, because it will all mean nothing if we start having goals against us.

"The mentality we have is that nothing's done yet. It's nice, but that's it. It's something to take with you as a good feeling, to keep you going as a motivation. It’s nothing to be proud of yet in my opinion. It shows we are getting better, it’s an indicator in that way, but that’s it.

"There's a good connection in the team. It doesn't even matter who plays in the back line, it's just the same connection, you know? And also that goes towards our midfield and towards our attack. When you come into this team, there is something that connects each other.”