Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has admitted that a late call will have to be made on the availability of Gabriel Magalhaes for Sunday's Premier League clash with Newcastle United at St James' Park.
The Brazilian centre-back had dropped to the turf a few times in Tuesday's 3-1 win over London rivals Chelsea before ultimately being withdrawn with an ankle injury late on.
Arteta immediately admitted concern over Gabriel's condition after the game, having already lost William Saliba to a troublesome back injury in the middle of March.
Reports have claimed that Arsenal are hopeful over Gabriel's fitness for the trip to Tyneside, but Arteta cut a more cautious figure in his pre-game press conference.
When asked for an update on the 25-year-old's condition, Arteta conceded that his withdrawal against Chelsea was a "big sign", but he will come to a final decision on Saturday.
"We will have to see tomorrow how he is. He couldn't finish the game, so that's obviously a big sign. We will see how he is tomorrow," Arteta told the media on Friday afternoon.
Gabriel and Saliba have joined forces to form an effective partnership in the heart of the Arsenal backline this term, but the latter continues to make slow progress in his recovery from a back injury.
The Gunners have not kept a single clean sheet since Saliba entered the treatment room, shipping 14 goals in their last seven matches, and the Frenchman is once again absent for Sunday's crunch clash.
Arteta was once again asked if Saliba would miss the rest of the season, but the Gunners boss has refused to entertain that idea and is still optimistic that the 22-year-old will be back in the coming weeks.
"Not a lot of progress. He's feeling better every day but he's not been able to have any activity around the first team so we don't expect him to be with us," Arteta added.
"It's about the healing process, painwise and the things he can do off the pitch he's in a good place, but we have to build that capacity with the right load so that he's able to contribute to the team."
When asked about Saliba missing the remainder of the campaign, Arteta responded: "We are not there yet because we're always hopeful and players are pushing to play. If that's the case we'll announce it, but hopefully not."
Should Arsenal be without their two first-choice centre-backs for the trip north, Rob Holding is primed to return alongside January signing Jakub Kiwior in the heart of the backline.
Holding had initially filled the Saliba-sized void, but the Englishman was dropped to the bench as Kiwior was handed his full Premier League debut against Chelsea, and the Poland international received praise from Arteta for his accomplished display at the Emirates.
Arsenal currently sit one point behind leaders Manchester City having played a game more, but the champions will increase their advantage to four points with victory over Leeds United on Saturday.
The Gunners have already confirmed Champions League football for next season, though, and victory at St James' Park would also assure Arteta's men of a top-two finish. body check tags ::
