Arsenal have been without Gabriel for the last three games, with the influential centre-back sidelined with a hamstring injury.
The Brazil international was forced to play late in the 5-1 Champions League away win over Sporting last month before being withdrawn at half-time. Arsenal A few days later, a 5-2 victory against West Ham.
Gabriel who place in 5th place FourFourTwo list of the best central defenders in the world at the moment, was a hugely important player for Mikel Arteta, who helped the Gunners return to being title contenders thanks to his solid defending and outstanding record from set pieces.
Is Gabriel fit enough to play against Everton?
Gabriel took no chances against Monaco in the Champions League midweek as Arsenal cruised to a 3-0 victory, but he could have had a chance to return to the pitch when Arsenal hosted Everton on Saturday afternoon. – reports the Daily Mail.
Football.London add that it is believed that Gabriel has not completed full training with the rest of the Arsenal squad this week, but has been working individually in the gym.
They then point out that the last time Gabriel was an injury doubt, after retiring from Sporting, he only needed one training session before he was deemed fit to start.
They surmise that Arsenal may be willing to take a similar stance this time around, such is his importance to Arteta’s side
FourFourTwo However, he would like to emphasize that the match in question was the victory against West Ham, during which Gabriel failed to complete the full 90 minutes. Arsenal may therefore adopt a more cautious stance to ensure they are right – especially ahead of the flurry of Christmas fixtures.
Arsenal will not have a full week off between games until the turn of the New Year and will play six games over the next 22 days.
Arteta may give more clues about Gabriel’s position at Friday’s pre-match press conference.
Jan Kiwior replaced William Saliba in Gabriel’s absence, while Riccardo Calafiori was also sidelined with a groin injury.
