Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes is in a race against time to return against Fulham in the Premier League this weekend.
The Brazilian has been in imperious form for the Gunners this season but missed the 2-0 win over Manchester United through injury.
It was the first time in over a year that Gabriel failed to feature in a Premier League game for Mikel Arteta.
His return will be of vital importance to their Premier League title chances, having suffered a costly defeat against Fulham last term.
The Cottagers secured a 2-1 victory over their London rivals on New Year’s Eve 2023 that ultimately proved costly for Arsenal‘s title bid.
Will Gabriel be fit to return this weekend?
The 26-year-old is set to hand Arsenal a huge boost by being declared fit to start against Fulham this weekend.
The Brazil international trained indoors on Friday with Italian defender Riccardo Calafiori who also missed the win over United.
However, Arteta has adopted similar tactics in the past around injured stars to avoid handing rivals team news leaks.
Speaking on Friday, the Spaniard tried to remain coy by saying: “We have to [monitor] a few players.
“We have another training session tomorrow so we will see how everybody is for Sunday.
“Without seeing tomorrow’s session, it’s very difficult to say. Calafiori the same. It depends how they evolve in the next few days.”
Should Gabriel be sidelined ahead of a crunch Champions League clash with Monaco next week, Jakub Kiwior could start again.
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The Poland star was signed out for praise by Arteta after partnering William Saliba at centre-back, with Ben White also out injured.
Another option for Arsenal would be for Jurrien Timber to move over to the heart of the defence and Thomas Partey to play right-back.
Following the win over Man United, Arteta said: “I don’t know [when Gabriel will be back]. We will have to see over the next few days.
“Gabi was a big risk to play today because he felt something against West Ham.
“Sunday he’s going to be a possibility. With Ricci as well, let’s see how we reacts.”
Gabriel has become a force in both boxes this term, having scored three Premier League goals and added another in the Champions League.
On Arsenal’s status as ‘corner kings’, Arteta added: “We want to be the kings of everything. On set-pieces, the best in the world.
” On high-press, the best in the world. On attacking open spaces, the best in the world. We want to have the best atmosphere in the stadium and be the best at everything.
“Before it was about us not scoring enough, being soft defending, not having mentality, not being physical enough, and not challenging the top teams, with many years without winning away from home in big matches.
“We want to be the best at everything. We want to have the best academy, the best individual development for players. The best of the best. Recruit the best players and the best coaches. That’s the aim.”