Arsenal key man suffers injury blow ahead of huge Man City title clash as statement is released

ARSENAL’S Gabriel has withdrawn from the Brazil squad as a precaution.

The Gunners defender was expected to start in Saturday’s friendly against England at Wembley Stadium for the Samba Boys.

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Gabriel Magalhaes will not feature against England on Saturday[/caption]

However, after briefly training with Brazil at their UK training base, Arsenal’s London Colney, it is understood Gabriel has withdrawn from the squad in order to recover fully and not risk a major absence.

The injury is not believed to be linked to a pre-existing minor foot issue that Gabriel has recently be dealing with.

Brazil boss Dorival Junior said: “I had already communicated previously that we will work with a slightly more extensive list.

“A pre-call, we can put it that way, and again, today, we had another casualty.

“Unfortunately, Gabriel is uncalled. In his place, we are calling Bremer, from Juventus.”

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta will want to wrap Gabriel in cotton wool until the end of the international break with a huge Premier League clash against Manchester City on March 31.

He has made 26 starts in the Prem this season, and his partnership with William Saliba is the reason Arsenal have the best defence so far with just 24 goals conceded.

Gabriel, 26, joins a small list of Arsenal players looking to get back to full fitness ahead of the mammoth trip to the Etihad at the end of the month.

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Compatriot Gabriel Martinelli was not called up to the Brazil squad after suffering a gashed foot in the 6-0 thumping of Sheffield United on March 4.

Thomas Partey also did not join up with Ghana as he continues to return to first team fitness having been out since October with a thigh problem.

Ben White – who opted not to be called up for England this week – and Jurrien Timber – closing in on a return since rupturing his ACL in August – have also trained at London Colney.

After the clash with City, Arsenal face Luton and Brighton before the first leg of their Champions League quarter final with Bayern Munich at the Emirates Stadium.