Arsenal ‘preparing for new defender’ from Prem rivals in case Gabriel leaves

Football Digest: Arsenal stutter against Fulham

Arsenal are reportedly preparing contingency plans for a new defender in case Gabriel departs before Friday’s transfer deadline. The Brazil international has been linked with a departure from the Emirates Stadium. 

Mikel Arteta insists Gabriel’s exclusion from Arsenal’s opening three Premier League games is simply “tactical”. However, it is claimed that Real Madrid and clubs in Saudi Arabia hold an interest in the centre-back. 

Gabriel has played in 98 of the 117 top-flight fixtures since his arrival in 2020, adding a degree of scepticism to Arteta’s comments. It is claimed that he could depart this week if a serious approach is made. 

In turn, Arsenal are reportedly preparing for a new defender to arrive in the event that Gabriel leaves. Reports suggest that Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi features ‘prominently’ on the Gunners’ shortlist. 

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According to the Daily Mail, Arsenal could target the England man if Gabriel leaves. But Guehi will not come cheap, with Palace understood to not want to sell one of their star players this close to the deadline. 

Gabriel’s situation has confused some fans, given his previous importance to Arteta’s system. This season, the Spaniard has shifted Ben White from right-back into centre-back. Thomas Partey has been deployed as a makeshift right-back. 

The former Lille man has been used as a substitute in victories over Nottingham Forest and Palace. He was particularly important in seeing out a 1-0 triumph over the latter. 

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Asked if Gabriel’s exclusion is linked to reports of his pending exit, Arteta said after that win: “Nothing at all. It’s about the games that we were expecting, what I was expecting, how we wanted to defend and attack and our belief it was the best thing. 

“He’s played in both games, he’s helped us to win both games for different reasons. He was really good today, he absolutely dominated the box. He’s going to play a lot of games. That’s the decision sometimes.”

Arsenal could focus on trimming Arteta’s squad in the final week of the window. Kieran Tierney has joined Real Sociedad on a season-long loan, while reports claim that Rob Holding could depart. 

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