Brazilian defender Gabriel would likely continue to deputise for injured German star Skhrodan Mustafi at the heart of Arsenal defence ahead of their crucial English Premier League (EPL) clash with Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday evening in what would be a week 17 fixture.
Mustafi, who was signed from Spanish La Liga outfit Valencia for a princely sum of £32m during the transfer window earlier in the summer, has been an ever present fixture in the Arsenal side making 12 league appearances before sustaining a hamstring injury in Arsenal’s last league game at home against Stoke City which eventually ended 3-1 in the Gunners’ favour.
The previously mentioned Gabriel replaced Mustafi for the last league game against Everton at Goodison Park but couldn’t prevent Arsenal from losing 2-1 with many criticising him for not being an able replacement for the 2014 FIFA World Cup winner.
Despite that loss against Everton Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger will most likely resist the temptation of making many changes. Czech goalkeeper Petr Cech will surely continue in goal with a backline of Bellerin, Gabriel, Koscielny and Monreal.
Deep lying midfielders Francis Coquelin and summer signing Granit Xhaka should continue in midfield. Nigerian international Alex Iwobi should replace Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain alongside top performers Mesut Ozil and Theo Walcott behind topscorer Alexis Sanchez.
Arsenal XI: Cech; Bellerin, Gabriel, Koscielny, Monreal; Coquelin, Xhaka; Walcott, Ozil, Iwobi; Sanchez
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