Mikel Arteta confirms concerning Arsenal injury which made him change plans

Arsenal’s thumping win over Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League has been slightly marred by an injury to Gabriel Magalhaes.

The Gunners thrashed Sporting 5-1 on Tuesday night, producing a performance Mikel Arteta hailed as the best under his management in Europe. Goals from Gabriel Martinelli, Kai Havertz, Gabriel, Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard saw the away side pick up their third win from five Champions League matches this season.

Sporting came into the match on an unbeaten run of 17 wins and one draw in all competitions since the start of the season but were blown away. Arsenal scored as many goals as they had managed in their previous eight Champions League away matches combined, but the withdrawal of Gabriel is a concern.

The Brazilian powered in from Declan Rice’s corner to make it 3-0 before half-time before adopting Viktor Gyokeres’ celebration to stir controversy. He had to be replaced in the 84th minute by Jakob Kiwior before Arteta explained the situation in his post-match press conference.

"We had to make the change because he was feeling some discomfort,” he said. “I was about to make the change for Raz [Raheem Sterling], poor thing, I couldn't make the sub. We had to get him out."

Gabriel has been a near ever-present for Arsenal this season, making 18 appearances and scoring three goals in all competitions. The 26-year-old’s partnership with William Saliba has been crucial to Arsenal’s success over the past few seasons and Arteta will be desperate to have him available for their trip to West Ham on Saturday.

Victory moved Arsenal up to seventh place in the Champions League and Arteta gave an emphatic response when asked if it was the best win of his tenure. “For sure. Especially against the opponent that we played in their home,” he said.

“I don’t think they’ve lost here in 18 months. They’ve been in top form, they’ve been better than everyone they’ve played here. To play to that level with the fluidity that we’ve done today, very pleased.”

Asked if it felt like a landmark win, Arteta added: “For sure. Because the performance was there a few times when we have played big teams. We played PSG and we were exceptional again. We played Bayern and were exceptional.

“But we made some mistakes and it cost us. That’s the level. We have to be able to cope. You have to make it happen. That creates belief. We need that consistency because the ability is there.”

He added: “We were so good. You have to be so good in every department. We suffered as well in many moments in the game. But we were so effective and efficient when we started to attack the opposition goal. Today that was the big difference.”