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Arsenal have been dealt a major injury scare with Gabriel pulling out of the Brazil squad for their international friendlies this month.
The centre-back, who has been integral to Arsenal’s title push this season, will miss the Selecao’s meetings with France and Croatia after complaining of “pain in his right knee” following Sunday’s Carabao Cup final, which he started.
Gabriel has undergone imaging tests which confirmed he was not fit to feature for Brazil during the March international break, though the exact severity of the injury is not yet known.
It acts as a potentially huge blow for the Gunners off the back of their 2-0 final defeat to Manchester City at Wembley, which dashed their hopes of winning an unprecedented quadruple this season.
The development comes after Gabriel’s centre-back partner William Saliba, who he started alongside against City, was also ruled out of international duty, pulling out of the France squad due to to “recurring pain in his left ankle”.
The French Football Federation (FFF) said that the Arsenal defender required treatment and a “minimum rest period of 10 days” in an official statement, with Crystal Palace’s Maxence Lacroix selected to replace him for his first France call-up.
Brazil, meanwhile, have confirmed they will not replace Gabriel in their squad for their two internationals, which are being held in the United States ahead of this summer’s World Cup.
Arsenal have already felt the curse of the international break with Gabriel this season, with the 28-year-old missing 10 games during the festive period due to a thigh injury after being forced off during Brazil’s 2-0 win over Senegal in November – a game that was played at the Emirates Stadium.
Saliba has also seen his season hampered by injuries, with this being the third instance an ankle problem has left him sidelined.
In what would have seen the Arsenal defensive duo go head-to-head if not for their injury woes, Brazil will take on France on March 26 at the Gilette Stadium in Boston before facing Croatia at Orlando’s Camping World Stadium on 31 March.
