Arsenal are gearing up for a crucial Premier League showdown against Crystal Palace at the Emirates, aiming to stretch their unbeaten streak to ten games across all competitions. However, the excitement has been dampened by worrying injury news from Mikel Arteta, as one of his key defenders faces a spell on the sidelines that could see him miss the rest of the season.
Arteta confirmed that Gabriel Magalhaes, one of Arsenal’s most reliable defensive figures, suffered a knock during training and has not yet returned to full fitness. “Gabriel had to leave the pitch with an issue, and he hasn’t trained since,” the manager revealed. “We’ll assess his situation in the next 24 hours to know if he can make it for the weekend, but it doesn’t look good.”
The Gunners are preparing to face a revitalized Crystal Palace side who have hit the ground running this season after lifting the FA Cup and Community Shield. Arteta acknowledged that Palace, under Oliver Glasner, have become a much more dangerous side, capable of challenging any team in the league.
“We know exactly what Palace are about under Oliver,” Arteta said. “They’re well-organized, disciplined, and playing with confidence. It’s going to be a tough test for us, but with our fans behind us at home, we believe we can come out on top if we perform at our best.”
Despite the injury setback, Arsenal’s defensive structure remains one of the strongest in England. The team has conceded only three goals so far in the Premier League — a record that puts them on pace to rival Chelsea’s legendary 2004/05 defensive season, where they allowed just 15 goals. Arteta praised his squad’s discipline but emphasized that the journey toward perfection is ongoing.
“We’ve been collecting a lot of records, and it’s great,” he said. “But records alone don’t win you silverware. What matters most is consistency and the hunger to keep improving. It’s still early in the season, and we have to make sure we maintain these standards and build on them every week.”
Arteta also touched on the importance of the home crowd’s energy, noting that the atmosphere at the Emirates hasn’t quite matched the electric levels of the 2022/23 title-challenging campaign. He wants the supporters to be fully involved in every match, creating an environment that fuels the players’ performance.
“One of the biggest things I want to see is our supporters truly playing the game with us,” he urged. “It’s not just about showing up — it’s about being part of every moment, staying in your seat, showing that hunger and belief. Sunday’s 2pm kickoff is the perfect chance to show how much we’ve grown together since the Champions League night. If we want to go further than last year, everyone — players and fans alike — must share that same drive.”
Leave a Reply