Arsenal suffer double injury blow just seven days before Real Madrid clash as Gabriel and Timber forced off vs Fulham
ARSENAL star Gabriel was forced off just 16 minutes into his side’s Premier League clash with Fulham – before Jurrien Timber later limped off too.
The Brazilian went down in his own box appearing to clutch his hamstring.
Arsenal bizarrely played on for around two minutes, not kicking the ball out despite protestations from their manager to do so.
When the ball did finally go out of play, Gabriel received treatment from medical staff.
He subsequently shook his head as he was replaced by team-mate Jakub Kiwior.
Gabriel’s injury comes just seven days before the Gunners’ Champions League quarter-final first leg tussle with Real Madrid.
The centre-back has been a near ever-present for Arsenal this season.
He has started 28 of their 30 Premier League matches, only missing two in December due to a knee injury.
The commanding defender has also been selected in nine of the Gunners’ 10 Champions League games this term, including both legs of their last 16 triumph over PSV Eindhoven.
Reporting on the injury on Sky Sports News, former Tottenham manager Tim Sherwood said of Gabriel: “He won’t be the first player to have popped a hamstring trying to chase Adama Traore.
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“That’s what happened in the middle of the pitch and it looked like he just ripped it. That is his season over.
“If that’s a bad hamstring that is him finished. He’s walking off but he’s shaking his head, he doesn’t look good.”
Arsenal endured another injury scare shortly after Gabriel went off.
In a coming together with Raul Jimenez, Jurrien Timber appeared to come out worse for wear.
Following treatment, however, the Dutchman was able to continue.
Mikel Merino had given the Gunners the lead before half-time to raise spirits.
However, in another worrying development for Gunners fans and Arteta, Timber limped off with around 15 minutes to go.
Despite the injury worries, Bukayo Saka returned after 101 days out and scored after just seven minutes to double Arsenal’s lead.
Muniz scored late on but it was too late to salvage a point.