Arsenal Injury Crisis Deepens: Magalhães Doubtful as Four More Stars Miss Palace Clash
When Mikel Arteta, manager of Arsenal Football Club, spoke at the London Colney training centre on Friday, 24 October 2025, he confirmed that centre‑back Gabriel dos Santos Magalhães faces a major doubt for the upcoming Premier League showdown with Crystal Palace FC at Emirates Stadium. The 27‑year‑old Brazilian pulled a thigh muscle during Arsenal’s 2‑0 Champions League win over Atlético Madrid on 21 October, forcing a substitution in the 72nd minute after he had scored the opener and set up the second.
Injury Update and Immediate Implications
Arteta told reporters, “Big Gabi had to leave the pitch with an issue, and he hasn’t been able to train yet, so let’s see how he evolves in the next 24 hours, whether he’s available or not for the weekend.” The phrasing left the door open for a last‑minute decision, but the timing is awkward – Arsenal sit atop the league having conceded just three goals in eight matches, a defensive run that could eclipse Chelsea’s historic 15‑goal‑conceded record if it continues.
Should Magalhães miss Sunday’s game, Arteta is expected to turn to 22‑year‑old Colombian signing Cristhian Mosquera as the starting centre‑back, with Ecuadorian international Piero Hincapié serving as a backup. Daily Cannon’s Tom Gott warned that Hincapié’s lack of recent minutes could make his inclusion a “surprise”, especially given the high‑stakes nature of the London derby.
Depth of Arsenal’s Injury Crisis
The Magalhães dilemma is only the tip of an iceberg. Four other first‑team regulars are ruled out for the Palace match:
- Martin Ødegaard – captain, 26, nursing a knee problem sustained before the Atlético game. Sports Mole pegs his return for 23 November against Tottenham.
- Kai Havertz – 25, sidelined with an identical knee issue and linked to the same November timeline.
- Noni Madueke – 22, English winger acquired from Chelsea, undergoing knee rehab after a September 22 injury versus Manchester City.
- Gabriel Fernando de Jesus – 28, Brazilian striker who suffered an ACL tear on 14 September during a 1‑0 win over Manchester United. His projected comeback is 30 December at Villa Park.
Arteta summed up the situation on the same day: “They are progressing really well… but at the moment, none of them are yet in contention in the next week or so.”
Tactical Options for Arteta
Beyond Mosquera and Hincapié, the Gunners have other defensive contingencies. 21‑year‑old Italian left‑back Riccardo Calafiori could be shifted inside, partnering the ever‑reliable 23‑year‑old Dutch‑born William Saliba. On the flanks, 19‑year‑old English midfielder Myles Lewis‑Skelly offers a dynamic option, while the midfield remains thin without Ødegaard and Havertz.
Statistically, Arsenal’s defensive solidity this season (3 goals conceded, 0.38 per game) dwarfs Manchester City’s 2017/18 start (4 conceded). Yet the absence of a commanding centre‑back could inflate that average quickly, especially against a Palace side that boasts a hard‑working defensive line under manager Oliver Glasner.
Impact on Arsenal’s Season and Defensive Record
Maintaining the current defensive run is more than a brag‑ging exercise – it directly correlates with revenue. Deloitte’s Football Money League (published 15 January 2025) notes a 15 % rise in season‑ticket renewals for 2025/26, adding roughly £85 million in match‑day income during the first eight fixtures. A leaky back‑line could dent those numbers, especially if the team drops points in high‑profile London fixtures.
Historically, Arsenal have struggled when Magalhães is missing; he had started 92 league games since arriving from Lille in August 2020. His first absence in a competitive match would break a 43‑game streak dating back to 28 October 2024.
Looking Ahead: Future Fixtures and Return Timelines
The next big test comes on 23 November, when Arsenal host Tottenham Hotspur in the North London derby. That clash is earmarked as the likely stage for Ødegaard, Havertz, and Madueke to return – assuming their rehabilitation proceeds without setbacks.
Gabriel Jesus’s ACL recovery is progressing slower; the club’s medical staff, using cryotherapy chambers set at –110 °C and ultrasound imaging, estimate a late‑December return at Villa Park against Aston Villa.
Background: Arsenal’s Defensive Evolution
Since Arteta’s appointment in 2019, Arsenal have shifted from a traditionally open, attacking style to a more compact, high‑press system. The recruitment of physically dominant centre‑backs like Magalhães, alongside technically adept defenders such as Saliba, underpins this tactical shift. The current injury list, however, highlights the fragility of depth in a squad that often rotates to manage the congested calendar of Premier League, Champions League, and domestic cups.
Frequently Asked Questions
How will Magalhães' possible absence affect Arsenal’s defense against Palace?<\/h3>
Without Magalhães, Arsenal lose a 6‑ft‑8‑in aerial presence and a leader in the back line. Mosquera offers similar physicality, but his lack of Premier League minutes could lead to communication lapses, especially against Palace’s quick forwards. The team may concede more shots inside the box, raising the risk of dropping points.<\/p>
Without Magalhães, Arsenal lose a 6‑ft‑8‑in aerial presence and a leader in the back line. Mosquera offers similar physicality, but his lack of Premier League minutes could lead to communication lapses, especially against Palace’s quick forwards. The team may concede more shots inside the box, raising the risk of dropping points.<\/p>
Which players are most likely to feature in the starting XI for the Sunday match?<\/h3>
Arteta is expected to line up Cristhian Mosquera at centre‑back, paired with William Saliba. The midfield could see Thomas Partey anchoring, while the attack remains unchanged with Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli leading the line.<\/p>
Arteta is expected to line up Cristhian Mosquera at centre‑back, paired with William Saliba. The midfield could see Thomas Partey anchoring, while the attack remains unchanged with Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli leading the line.<\/p>
When can fans expect Ødegaard and Havertz back in the squad?<\/h3>
Both midfielders are slated for a possible return on 23 November against Tottenham, provided their knee rehabilitation stays on schedule. The club’s medical team has emphasized a cautious approach, so a last‑minute change cannot be ruled out.<\/p>
Both midfielders are slated for a possible return on 23 November against Tottenham, provided their knee rehabilitation stays on schedule. The club’s medical team has emphasized a cautious approach, so a last‑minute change cannot be ruled out.<\/p>
What does the injury list mean for Arsenal’s title ambitions?<\/h3>
Depth concerns could force Arteta to rotate more often, potentially affecting consistency. Nevertheless, the squad’s youth and technical talent allow for adaptable formations. If key players recover by the end of the year, Arsenal can still challenge for the title, but a prolonged defensive gap could hand rivals crucial points.<\/p>
Depth concerns could force Arteta to rotate more often, potentially affecting consistency. Nevertheless, the squad’s youth and technical talent allow for adaptable formations. If key players recover by the end of the year, Arsenal can still challenge for the title, but a prolonged defensive gap could hand rivals crucial points.<\/p>
How does the current defensive record compare historically?<\/h3>
Conceding three goals in eight league games is Arsenal’s best start since the 1993‑94 season and better than Manchester City’s 2017‑18 benchmark of four conceded. Maintaining this rate would set a new Premier League record for fewest goals allowed in a team’s first eight matches.<\/p>
Conceding three goals in eight league games is Arsenal’s best start since the 1993‑94 season and better than Manchester City’s 2017‑18 benchmark of four conceded. Maintaining this rate would set a new Premier League record for fewest goals allowed in a team’s first eight matches.<\/p>
gaurav rawat
October 25, 2025 AT 21:41Yo fam, the back‑four looks a bit thin after the injuries, but we can still grind it out if the lads focus on compactness and quick transitions 🙌💪. Keep the communication tight, especially on set‑pieces, and Mosquera should get the nod with a bit of extra work on his positioning. Even with the midfield hit, Partey can drop deeper to shield the defense and give Saliba room to organise. Remember, a well‑drilled defensive block can outsmart a star‑studded opponent. Let’s keep the morale high and push through the crunch!