Arsenal star Gabriel limped off against Fulham holding his hamstring just seven days before the Gunners' crunch Champions League clash with Real Madrid. It is a major worry for boss Mikel Arteta ahead of a season-defining European tie.

Gabriel lasted just 15 minutes before pulling up during Arsenal's Premier League match against the Cottagers. He made a high-speed sprint to recover and attempt to make a challenge to prevent a Fulham attack. However, the important centre-back began to hobble and grimaced as he gripped his hamstring.

Looking uncomfortable as he received medical attention, Gabriel limped off and will now be a major doubt for the first leg of Arsenal's Champions League quarter-final against Real. Arsenal took no chances with the Brazil international and he was replaced by Jakub Kiwior.

Injuries have plagued Arsenal's season, ruining their chance of putting up a stronger challenge for the Premier League title. Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus and summer signing Riccardo Calafiori have all missed large parts of the campaign.

Arsenal had only just welcomed Saka back from three months out with a hamstring problem. The winger suffered the injury in December and later underwent surgery to rectify the issue. The 23-year-old was named on the substitutes' bench for the visit of Fulham but the good news on the injury front did not last long.

Arteta would have been further concerned when Jurrien Timber seemed in pain later in the first half. However, the Dutchman had suffered a cut to his knee and was able to continue.

Saka's return is a welcome boost for Arteta amid a series of long-term injuries. Arteta said of his recovery: “All the careful things are already done. Now it’s about putting him in the grass at the right moment. But he’s pushing because he really wants to.

“We have respected the timeline and we have done everything. We had to hold him back but he is ready to go. He can start. He’s another massive weapon. We know how much of an impact he’s had for the team in his role and with his contributions to our success so it’s great to have him back.”

Despite the positive news of Saka making his first appearance in a matchday squad since December 21, Arteta confirmed that defender Calafiori had suffered his fifth seperate injury of the season, having suffered another issue with his knee while representing Italy.

The Spaniard said: “It’s a knee injury. Really unfortunate the way it happened [but] it could be much worse. Hopefully, it’s going to be a matter of weeks but we will have to see how it goes.”