Arsenal Defender Gabriel to Miss Rest of Season with Hamstring Injury

Arsenal defender Gabriel will miss the remainder of the season after suffering a hamstring injury that requires surgery, the club has confirmed.

Arsenal has confirmed that defender Gabriel will miss the remainder of the season due to a hamstring injury that requires surgery. The news is a significant blow to Mikel Arteta's side, which is currently 12 points behind Liverpool in the Premier League title race with eight games left to play. Gabriel suffered the injury during Tuesday's 2-1 win over Fulham, limping off the field after being substituted in the early stages of the match.

A big, big miss. 😬

Gabriel is out for the rest of the season with a hamstring injury. Since his debut, he's played in 159 Premier League games for Arsenal and missed 22. pic.twitter.com/JIAaoVRpTW

— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) April 3, 2025

According to Arsenal, Gabriel “will undergo a surgical repair procedure to his hamstring in the coming days, and immediately begin his recovery and rehabilitation programme, with the aim to be ready for the start of next season.” This timeline means that Gabriel will play no further part in Arsenal's season, which includes a Champions League quarter-final tie against Real Madrid, with the first leg scheduled for next week.

Gabriel's absence will be deeply felt by Arsenal, as he has formed a formidable partnership with centre-back William Saliba. Together, they have helped the north London club maintain the best defensive record in the Premier League, conceding just 25 goals in 30 games. Gabriel's injury will require Saliba and the rest of the Arsenal defence to adapt and find a new rhythm without their injured teammate.

Gabriel, along with fellow defender William Saliba and goalkeeper David Raya, had been an ever-present figure for Arsenal this season, playing more minutes than any of their teammates in all competitions. His influence extended beyond defensive duties, as he also played a key role in attacking set-pieces, scoring five goals in all competitions.

Arsenal defender Gabriel is OUT for the rest of the season after requiring hamstring surgery ❌

A massive blow for the Gunners. pic.twitter.com/DiQ1zewanw

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 3, 2025

The severity of Gabriel's injury is underscored by the fact that he is the third Arsenal player to suffer a major hamstring injury this season, following compatriot Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka. Both Martinelli and Saka required surgery and faced extended periods on the sidelines, with Saka out for three months.

Arsenal's defensive corps has been decimated by injuries, with Gabriel joining Riccardo Calafiori, Ben White, and Takehiro Tomiyasu on the sidelines. Jurrien Timber also suffered a knee issue during the Fulham game, further depleting Arteta's defensive options. “You can imagine, we've lost four players in the defensive line in one week... We still have another four that are so willing that they will do their job,” Arteta said in the aftermath of the Fulham match.

The Gunners have already lost strikers Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus to season-ending injuries earlier this year, and Gabriel's absence will only add to the sense of disruption within the squad. As Arteta seeks to navigate this challenging period, he will be relying on the willingness and adaptability of his remaining players to fill the gaps left by their injured teammates.