‘Looking good’ - Arsenal handed major injury boost ahead of Newcastle United clash

Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes is expected to start against Newcastle United on Sunday afternoon (kick-off 4:30pm), despite going off injured in midweek.

The Brazilian went down four times before being substituted with five minutes to go during the 3-1 victory over Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night.

Mikel Arteta revealed his concern for Gabriel after the game but according to Football.London journalist Kaya Kaynak, the 25-year-old should feature at St James’ Park.

“It wasn’t a muscular injury, it was an ankle injury, which he sustained in the collision with Aaron Ramsdale during the [Noni] Madueke goal,” Kaynak told The Arsenal Way podcast.

“Those sort of impact injuries are usually ones you can run off. Gabriel is a hard guy, he can handle that pain and he seemed like someone who is quite keen to just run it off.

“I think Arteta was keen not to disrupt the backline anymore than necessary. He’s looking good, he should be OK for Newcastle is what I’ve heard.

“It’s a positive update. He was able to receive some treatment in the changing room after the game. That will suggest he’s looking fine. I think he’ll be back in training either tomorrow [Friday] or today [Thursday].”

Arteta is set to provide an update on Gabriel and centre-back partnership William Saliba at today’s pre-match press conference. Saliba hasn’t played since his side’s Europa League exit to Sporting Lisbon last month.

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