Arsenal hit by major Gabriel injury concern before Man United clash

Arsenal have been handed a huge Gabriel Magalhaes injury concern with the defender substituted off at half time against West Ham. The defender endured a very busy first half at London Stadium as he opened the scoring early on before winning the Gunners a penalty.

Considering that was given because Lukasz Fabianski punched him in the head as opposed to connecting with the ball, that is likely the reason he was replaced by Jakub Kiwior for the second half. Arsenal also play Manchester United in just a few days with it likely he has been replaced as a precaution.

If it is because of a concussion however, he will definitely miss that game at Emirates Stadium due to the Premier League's protocols around head injuries. Gabriel was already a doubt heading into the London derby having departed the Champions League clash away at Sporting CP with some discomfort.

READ MORE: Mikel Arteta gives Thomas Partey and Mikel Merino injury update amid Arsenal absence vs West Ham

READ MORE: Premier League forced to release two Arsenal vs West Ham VAR statements after penalty drama

However, he was named in the starting XI with Arteta explaining his reasons for doing so. "Gabriel is the good news that he managed to do the session yesterday [Friday] and he felt much better so he is starting the game," he told Sky Sports before the game.

With Gabriel now a doubt for next Wednesday's game, he joins Thomas Partey and Mikel Merino as players that could miss out. The midfield duo were noticeable absentees from the matchday squad to face West Ham with Arteta also on hand to explain why that was the case.

"Unfortunately they both picked (up) an injury and the game came too early and they couldn't be part of the squad," he said. Takehiro Tomiyasu is the only other noticeable absentee with Kieran Tierney on the bench against the Hammers.