Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes to miss rest of the season with hamstring injury

Arsenal have confirmed that Gabriel Magalhães requires surgery on his injured hamstring and will miss the rest of the season in a major blow before the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid on Tuesday.

The Brazil defender limped off after 16 minutes of Arsenal’s 2-1 win over Fulham on Tuesday, with Mikel Arteta stating after the match that the player had “felt something in his hamstring”. Gabriel was sent for scans on Wednesday.

“We can confirm that Gabriel Magalhães has sustained a hamstring injury which requires surgery,” an Arsenal statement said.

“Gabi will undergo a surgical repair procedure to his hamstring in the coming days, and immediately begin his recovery and rehabilitation programme, with the aim to be ready for the start of next season.”

Gabriel has been one of Arsenal’s outstanding performers this season and his absence leaves Arteta with major problems before Saturday’s trip to Everton in the Premier League and Tuesday’s game at home to Madrid. Jakub Kiwior deputised for Gabriel against Fulham. The versatile Jurriën Timber was also forced off with a knee injury and it is not known whether he will return.