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Arsenal injury crisis gets worse vs Liverpool as Mikel Arteta nightmare strikes

Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes on the floor with injury against Liverpool
-Credit: (Image: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)


Arsenal's defensive problems continued to grow as Gabriel Magalhaes was forced off early on in the second half against Liverpool. Having already been paired next to Thomas Partey at right-back and Ben White moving inside into a previous role, Mikel Arteta's issues got bigger at a bad time.

Gabriel went down and needed medical help from Arsenal physios before gingerly getting up. He then returned to the pitch after a brief period of treatment and time spent on the sidelines.

That didn't last long, though, with Arteta forced to replace Gabriel with Jakub Kiwior moments later. The Brazilian went down to the floor after David Raya caught a cross.

Replays show that he jarred his knee after a collision with Darwin Nunez. Not only was the back of his left knee caught by Nunez, he also landed awkwardly, appearing to twist.

For Arteta it left him without either first-choice centre-back for the final half an hour against Liverpool. William Saliba was ruled out from the start with suspension.

Jurrien Timber did return to the side following injury issues of his own since before the international break. He remained at left-back once Gabriel went off, with Kiwior going centrally next to White.

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Arsenal did have a lead to defend when Gabriel went off. He left his side 2-1 up at the Emirates Stadium after Mikel Merino's goal on the stroke of half-time. Bukayo Saka had given the hosts an early lead but Virgil van Dijk hit back shortly after.

Timber was the next to cause Arteta a headache as he had to be removed with 15 minutes to go. He appeared to be struggling with cramp as he stretched off. Arteta brought on youngster Miles Lewis-Skelly to act as cover after it became apparent that Timber couldn't continue.