Mikel Arteta provided Gabriel Magalges updates following concerns about injury to Arsenal defenders during the Champions League victory over Olympiacos. Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka won a 2-0 victory at Emirates Stadium on Wednesday evening.
This means that gunners are charging maximum points from both European outings this term. However, Arteta faced a potential setback in the second half after David Raya was forced to escape after he was heavily landed at the 27-year-old centre half. Christian Mosquera took part in the action to replace the Brazilians.
Following the encounter, Arteta reveals that Gabriel’s withdrawal is merely a precaution. The Spanish tactician told reporters: “Yeah, I think he’s fine. He felt something. I think it was a kick, I don’t know the first half, and he was a bit uncomfortable and he was there towards the second half.
“He could continue, but we play so many games, so we decided to actually do nothing.
Arteta hopes Gabriel will make a quick recovery ahead of Saturday’s clash with West Ham. If he is not available, William Saliba will likely be a partner alongside defence Mosquera.
Looking back at his victory over Olympiacos, Arteta said:
“I think we started the game really well. I think we looked like a real threat, we were really dynamic, we really moved forward, a lot of running, a lot of threat.
“In general, there are two or three big opportunities, and you don’t clean up them in this competition. You need to be careful. The first arrival David had to make an incredible save to deny the targets that this competition also needed.
“And then, like you said, we had many moments of advantage, and some others, without controlling and dominating in direct play, we get a little deeper and every time they put the ball into the box with the cross, it’s a very dangerous team.
“At the end, again, I missed two big opportunities, but I found a way to score with Bukayo and breathe a little in the first few minutes, because it’s a team that really finished the game well, and we won five of this season in the last few minutes.
