TA: Arsenal’s deep defense squad calms Gabriel injury fears

Recently, The Athletic published a feature article analyzing Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta's various alternatives for the center-back position should Gabriel be sidelined for a long time.

The signing of Incapie sparked considerable debate within Arsenal.

Some felt the deal was overkill – a financial commitment that could significantly impact the future. Others saw it as a necessity. Given Kiwior's desire to join Porto, the team needed another high-quality defensive option.

After an injury-plagued 2024-25 season, Arteta didn't want to take any more risks. Arsenal therefore turned to Bayer Leverkusen's 24-year-old Incapie – initially on loan, but set to become permanent next summer for €52 million, including a 10% sell-on clause.

It's an expensive insurance policy – but Arteta must be glad he has it for now. At least for now, finances aren't his concern. With news that centre-back Gabriel is expected to be out for some time, Incapie has become essential.

Arsenal are still awaiting definitive information regarding Gabriel's prognosis, but there are concerns he may struggle to return to action in 2025. His absence is a huge blow at the start of a packed schedule of 14 matches over the next eight weeks. The Brazilian has been one of Arsenal's best players this season – both offensively and defensively.

But Arsenal have a deeper squad than ever before. Incapie is just one of many potential solutions.

Arsenal could use Cristian Mosquera. The 21-year-old, signed from Valencia this summer, has impressed every time he's called up. He possesses physical presence and technical ability that could help compensate for Gabriel's absence.

However, Mosquera is typically a right-footed centre-back – while Arteta often prefers a balance between right and left-footed centre-backs.

Another option might be Calafiori. The Italian international plays centre-back for the national team, and he was also used in that position during preseason while Gabriel was recovering from hamstring surgery.

Calafiori himself has some fitness issues to deal with, as he missed Italy's two international matches during this international break. “Calafiori has left training camp,” Gattuso said at his pre-match press conference on Saturday, a statement quoted by Sky Sports Italia.

“We tried Calafiori, and he had some minor issues. I appreciate his efforts: he’s been here for a week, and he might be able to play, but that wouldn’t be fair to him or Arsenal.”

Sources close to Calafiori (who requested anonymity to protect relationships) said his absence was due to load management, not a specific injury. Given this, Arsenal hope he can be available to the team.

Naturally, he is an option at center-back. While the 23-year-old Calafiori is in excellent form at left-back, Arsenal have sufficient depth in that position, with Incapie and Miles Lewis-Skeley as alternatives. Arteta could move Carafiori centrally to partner Saliba.

However, this would mean two changes to Arsenal’s preferred back four, not one. Calafiori has started at left-back in all 11 of Arsenal's Premier League appearances this season. To maintain consistency, Arteta may prefer to keep him in that position.

Therefore, perhaps now is Incapie's chance. Arsenal worked to help him regain his match fitness before the international break, starting him against Brighton and Slavia Prague, and then coming on as a substitute against Crystal Palace and Burnley. Two appearances for Ecuador during the break should help him get back into form.

Incapie is a different type of player than Gabriel, but he brings intensity, aggression, and considerable experience. Crucially, he also possesses leadership qualities – he has captained his country multiple times.

Gabriel's absence could also benefit other defenders. Tuchel has stated that Lewis Skelly needs more playing time to earn a place in his World Cup squad. With either Calafiori or Incapie potentially being converted to centre-back, there should be more opportunities at left-back. Ben White is another player whose place in the pecking order could rise due to this defensive restructuring.

If it were only Gabriel's absence, Arsenal might be able to handle the challenge. However, the reality is that Arsenal also faces the problem of several attacking players being unavailable.

In the draw against Sunderland before the international break, Arteta was missing Gyökeres, Havertz, Madueke, Martinelli, Odegaard, and Jesus. Arsenal hope to welcome all six attackers back in the coming weeks.

Currently, it is unclear which players will be fit for Sunday's match against Tottenham Hotspur. Arsenal may have to be patient while waiting for their attackers to return.

The 27-year-old Gyökeres had set the North London derby as a potential return target, but he needs to be prepared for a tough match. He is working hard to return as soon as possible, but the Tottenham game may be too early.

Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann mentioned that Havertz had encountered a minor setback, but Arsenal are not overly concerned and believe the striker is progressing well on his way back. The situations of Ødegaard, Martinelli, and Madueke remain unclear.

Jesus trained with the team throughout the international break and may be considered for a return to the first team. However, after such a long absence, Arsenal will likely seek to gradually increase his playing time.

Dealing with injury absences is nothing new for Arteta. At least defensively, Arsenal's summer moves have provided him with multiple options.