Arsenal suffer major injury blow before Sporting CP game

Arsenal have suffered a major injury blow ahead of the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final against Sporting CP on the road.

The Gunners bowed out of the FA Cup in the last eight stage yesterday after a disappointing 2-1 loss to Southampton away from home.

Gabriel Magalhaes partnered Cristhian Mosquera in the heart of the defence, but he was substituted late in the game with a knee complaint.

Gabriel personally asked to be substituted and speaking after the loss, Arteta confirmed that he 'felt something' in his knee before being taken off.

The manager added that it is 'never good news' when a player asks to be substituted and he appears a major doubt for the upcoming clash.

Arsenal travel to Lisbon for the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final at Sporting CP. They may have to cope without Gabriel.

In that case, Riccardo Calafiori could partner William Saliba in the heart of the defence instead of Mosquera, who made errors yesterday.