Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta faces a growing list of fitness worries. Three of his key defenders picked up knocks during the recent international break.

The Gunners will return to club duty this week with significant concerns. Gabriel, Riccardo Calafiori, and Jurrien Timber are all now doubts for upcoming fixtures.

The Premier League table-toppers had boasted one of Europe’s strongest defensive records. They kept eight straight clean sheets across all competitions. This impressive run concluded with a 2-2 draw against Sunderland.

Arsenal is set to meet Tottenham on Sunday. This highly anticipated match is the North London derby. A crucial Champions League meeting with Bayern Munich follows this fixture, adding pressure to Arteta’s squad.

Gabriel’s Thigh Injury Raises Concerns

Gabriel’s injury marks the first major setback for Arsenal. The Brazilian centre-back forms a solid partnership with William Saliba. He left Saturday’s friendly against Senegal with a thigh issue.

Scans confirmed the injury severity. Consequently, he did not travel to France. He missed Brazil’s game against Tunisia on Tuesday.

The 27-year-old has been pivotal this season. He plays a key role in Arsenal’s back line, which has conceded only five goals in 11 league matches. Gabriel has also contributed two goals this season.

Calafiori’s Hip Problem Threatens Availability

Riccardo Calafiori also withdrew from international duty. He has been Arteta’s main option at left-back this season, providing defensive solidity.

The Italian defender reported to the national team camp. This was for qualifiers against Moldova and Norway. However, he trained alone due to a hip problem. He did not feature in either game.

There is some optimism regarding his recovery. He may still be fit in time for Sunday’s vital match against Tottenham, a crucial boost if confirmed.

Timber Suffers Painful Challenge

Jurrien Timber became the latest concern on Monday. He sustained a painful challenge during the Netherlands’ 4-0 win over Lithuania.

He needed immediate medical attention on the pitch. Initially, it looked like a knee injury. Later images, however, showed a deep cut on his leg.

Timber continued for around half an hour after the incident. He was then replaced. This suggests the damage might not be as severe as initially feared, raising hopes for a quick return.

Existing Attacking Injury Woes

Arsenal already faces issues in attack. Several key attacking players are currently unavailable. These include Viktor Gyokores, Gabriel Martinelli, Kai Havertz, and Noni Madueke.

Captain Martin Odegaard has also been sidelined. He missed several recent matches, further adding to Arteta’s selection dilemmas across the squad.