Mikel Arteta could make some late changes to his squad ahead of the transfer window (Picture: Getty)
Arsenal star Gabriel is being line-up for a big-money move to the Saudi Arabia Pro League.
The Brazil international has been a mainstay of Mikel Arteta’s defence since his arrival from Lille three years ago and last season formed a promising partnership with William Saliba.
Gabriel signed a new long-term contract 12 months ago but was a surprising omission from the Arsenal side that began its Premier League campaign with a nervy 2-1 win over Nottingham Forest last weekend.
Explaining the decision to reshuffle his rearguard to accommodate striker Eddie Nketiah, Arteta said: ‘It is every game demands different things and Eddie [Nketiah] didn’t play last game and has done really well in pre-season and he deserves to play.
‘He has been really good and always been a threat. Every game needs different qualities. This is how we start the game and we will probably finish in a very different way.’
Gabriel was, ultimately, summoned from the bench in order to help the Gunners stave off a late Forest fightback and it remains to be seen, according to The Mirror, whether Arteta would be open to allowing the centre-half to leave.
A host of Premier League stars have already left for the huge riches on offer in Saudi Arabia with Liverpool and Chelsea, in particular, having profited from the sales of N’Golo Kante, Fabinho and Jordan Henderson.
Gabriel was left out of Arsenal’s starting XI against Nottingham Forest (Picture: Getty)
Despite spending £21million on Poland international Jakub Kiwior in January, Arteta would almost certainly demand a replacement for Gabriel with the likes of Manchester City’s Aymeric Laporte and Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi firmly on his radar.
Regardless of Gabriel’s future, Arteta could be forced into making a late defensive signing after Arsenal confirmed Jurrien Timber, a summer arrival from Ajax, suffered a serious knee injury against Forest.
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A statement read: ‘Further to his substitution during our match against Nottingham Forest on Saturday, Jurrien Timber has received extensive assessments and scans which have confirmed he has sustained an injury to his right knee.
‘Jurrien will undergo a further detailed assessment and review with a consultant in the coming days to assess the full extent of the injury, in order to determine the next steps. A further update will be provided in due course.
‘Everyone at the club will be focused on supporting Jurrien at this time.’
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This would be a huge surprise.