Gabriel becomes latest Arsenal player to withdraw from international duty

Gabriel Magalhaes is the latest Arsenal player to withdraw from international duty after Brazil confirmed on Monday that the defender had pulled out of their latest squad. 

Gabriel played the duration of Arsenal's 2-0 defeat to Manchester City in the EFL Cup final, and in doing so, complained of pain in his right knee following the full-time whistle. 

The 28-year-old was therefore withdrawn from Carlo Ancelotti's Brazil squad for their upcoming friendlies with France on March 26 in Boston and Croatia on March 31 in Orlando.

Brazil confirmed that the Arsenal defender would not be replaced in what will be their final two matches before their World Cup squad is announced in May. 

A statement on the Brazil national team website read: "Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes is out of the friendlies against France and Croatia.

"After the game this Sunday (22) against Manchester City, for the final of the English League Cup, the athlete complained of pain in his right knee.

"Imaging tests have confirmed that Gabriel Magalhães is not fit to play in the matches during this FIFA international break – no other player will be called up to replace him."

It was also confirmed on Monday that William Saliba would not feature for France later this month after sustaining an ankle injury in Arsenal's defeat to City on Sunday. 

Leandro Trossard has also pulled out of Belgium's squad, while Martin Odegaard, Jurrien Timber and Eberechi Eze are all out with respective injury issues. 

Arsenal's first game back after the international break is an FA Cup quarter-final against Southampton, which is followed by the first leg of their last-eight Champions League tie with Sporting CP on April 7.