“We know Arteta’s game there”- Arsenal defender Gabriel withdrawing from Brazil’s crucial friendly against England triggers WILD reactions on social media

For fans, Mikel Arteta is a master of the dark arts! Fans point out the 'obvious' as Gabriel pulls out from Brazil squad with apparent injury ahead of game vs England.

“We know Arteta’s game there”- Arsenal defender Gabriel withdrawing from Brazil’s crucial friendly against England triggers WILD reactions on social media

Does Mikel Arteta have something to do with Gabriel's late injury before facing England? (Via X/@AFCHub & FabrizioRomano)

Injuries late into the season and a title race with everything at stake – fans couldn’t help but recall the similar state of affairs when Arsenal were going into the final stretch of the season last year. While the Gunners lost to Pep Guardiola‘s side following a William Saliba injury, Mikel Arteta will hope that the same doesn’t happen this year as well. With the international break getting underway, clubs will be worried about losing players due to injury.

Arsenal are currently at the top of the Premier League and in pole position to secure the all-elusive league title. However, with the international break underway, Arteta and co. will be wary to not have a repeat of last season. As per reports, Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhães has been withdrawn from the Brazilian squad which was assembled to face England during the break.

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Brazilian head coach Dorival Júnior chose to give no elaboration as to his injury as he announced his replacement in the squad. Juventus defender Gleison Bremer has been called in to fill the spot left by the Arsenal stopper.

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Even though injuries are no silly things and may even be the difference between winning a league title or not, fans have cooked up their own theories, and a significant chunk of them are aimed at Mikel Arteta!

Fans react to Gabriel’s late ‘injury’ and pull-out from the squad

No Arsenal fan would want to hear the news that Gabriel Magalhães is injured. The Gunners are sitting at the top of the Premier League table and will need every last drop of reinforcement if they are to maintain their spot. Arteta’s men take on Manchester City at the end of the month, and the stakes couldn’t be higher.

Gabriel Magalhães
Gabriel Magalhães has been a crucial part of Arsenal’s defense this season (Via X/@Welbeast)

A fan commented that Arteta was behind Gabriel’s ‘fake’ injury and that he didn’t want to let last season’s mistakes happen again. Another added that Arteta had to do the same for Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice – two of Arsenal’s most important players. Some added that the international break was ‘useless’ at such a crucial point in the club season and that all players should be called back.

City fans chipped in, with a few hitting out at Arteta for making his players fake injuries. Some even said that Arteta learnt from the best, as Pep Guardiola has also been criticized for similar reasons. The Cityzens are close behind at third, with a single point separating the two sides. A win would see Arsenal fall to third behind City and Liverpool – a repeat of last season.

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