Arsenal centre-back Gabriel set for weeks out injured

Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta revealed on Friday that Gabriel Magalhaes faces several weeks sidelined after sustaining an injury on international duty.

The Brazilian has played a key role in Arsenal's robust defence which has shipped only five goals in 11 Premier League fixtures.

However he picked up a thigh issue in Brazil's 2-0 friendly triumph against Senegal at the Emirates Stadium over the weekend.

Arteta commented Gabi will miss weeks of action and noted the defender faces another scan next week.

Gabriel has developed a strong central defensive alliance with William Saliba while also proving dangerous from dead-ball situations.

Arsenal who entertain Tottenham on Sunday hold a four-point lead over Manchester City atop the Premier League table following their 2-2 stalemate with Sunderland earlier this month that snapped a sequence of eight victories across competitions without conceding.

The Gunners hold a striking record versus their north London foes having lost just once at home to Tottenham in the league since 1993.

Yet Spurs head to the Emirates with the top away form in the division this term featuring four wins and a draw in five outings.