Arsenal fans were left struggling to comprehend why Gabriel Magalhaes started for Brazil against Senegal after he suffered an injury during Saturday’s friendly.
The Gunners’ defensive linchpin looks unlikely to be available for next Sunday’s north London derby against Tottenham after he was forced off in the 64th minute.
Speaking after the game, Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti apologised for his management of the 27-year-old who left the pitch in clear discomfort, clutching an abductor muscle.
‘Bad? I don’t know,’ the former Real Madrid manager said. ‘He had an injury in his adductor. The medical staff has to check tomorrow.
‘We are really sorry for this, really disappointed. When a player has an injury, you hope they can recover well and soon.’
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Those words are likely to fall on deaf ears, however, given it has subsequently emerged that Gabriel was a fitness doubt ahead of the game.
‘What we do know is that yesterday when Brazil were doing their final session here at the Emirates before the game Gabriel did his warm-up separately from the rest of the group,’ confirmed Sky Sports reporter Natalie Gedra.
‘They were trying to manage his load because he’s been playing a lot of minutes this season.’
Given his importance to the Arsenal cause, not to mention to his national side, concerned fans were astonished a player who suffered a serious hamstring injury last season was risked.
‘You build a squad to cover for injuries, but every injury increases the load on others,’ said one disgruntled supporter on X. ‘Thankfully Arsenal have Piero Hincapie ready to step up, but the fact Gabriel picked up this injury in a meaningless friendly, after training alone due to load management, is infuriating.’
Another agreed, writing: ‘Absolutely insane that he played the game. Completely irresponsible from everyone involved.’
Arsenal are also sweating on the fitness of another defender, Riccardo Calafiori, after he withdrew from the Italy squad but Fabrizio Romano claims he is likely to be fit enough to face Spurs.
Summer signings Piero Hincapie and Cristhian Mosquera also represent solid back-up options with the Spain Under-21 international having made a particulalrly solid start to his Arsenal career following his move from Valencia.
‘Above all, it’s the pace of it: back and forth, more direct,’ he told the Guardian when asked about the difference between England and Spanish football. ‘I love it.’