Arteta gives major Gabriel injury update as Arsenal prepare for Everton clash

Gabriel is closing in on a return to the Arsenal side, according to Mikel Arteta, with the manager providing a fitness update ahead of this weekend’s Premier League trip to Everton.

The Brazilian centre-back was a key figure in Arsenal’s strong start to the campaign before sustaining a hip injury while on international duty with Brazil in a friendly against Senegal at the Emirates Stadium last month.

Since his absence, Arsenal have recorded just one clean sheet in five league matches, a run that also coincided with a brief injury to Gabriel’s regular defensive partner William Saliba.

Saliba has now returned, and Arteta suggested Gabriel may not be far behind, although he declined to confirm whether the defender could be available for the meeting with Aston Villa on 30 December.

“He’s pushing hard, as he does,” Arteta said. “He’s doing [training] sessions, he’s not too far. We have to see how he progresses but we are quite positive.”

Ben White will miss the Everton match after suffering a hamstring strain during last weekend’s 2-1 win over Wolves and is expected to be sidelined until the new year.

“He’s out [of the Everton game],” Arteta confirmed.

“He’s evolving well. It’s not a major injury but it will keep him out for a few games. It’s not a major problem, he’s a really fast healer so let’s hope to have him after the next few games.”

Arteta also indicated that Kai Havertz could soon be back in contention following a lengthy spell out with a knee injury.

Meanwhile, midfielder Martin Zubimendi was absent from training earlier this week as part of a planned workload management approach.

“The small windows that we have, we make sure that we look after him and he understands that every possibility and every chance that you have to look after yourself, you have to take it in this league, because the demands are going to be really, really high,” Arteta said.

“But I think he’s coping really, really well with the league, with all the challenges that the league brings to you. A new club, a new country, and I think he’s been exceptional.”

After a rare full week between matches, Arsenal are preparing for a demanding festive schedule.

They host Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals on Tuesday before league fixtures against Brighton, Aston Villa, Bournemouth and Liverpool across a 12-day period.

Asked what he would like for Christmas, Arteta replied: “Win, win, win, win!

“All the games that we want. After, the rest [outside football] will come naturally, but my mood, my energy, is going to be much better, so that’s what I want.”