Gabriel Magalhaes drops fresh four-word Arsenal injury return hint for Man United clash

Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes has dropped a huge injury hint ahead of the Premier League clash against Manchester United having departed the win over West Ham at half time. The Brazil international endured a chaotic first 45 minutes as he scored from a corner, conceded two goals in the space of two minutes and then won a penalty.

Bukayo Saka went on to convert from 12 yards in stoppage time of the first period which made the score a staggering 5-2 to the Gunners. Following Gabriel's opener, Martin Odegaard, Leandro Trossard and Kai Havertz all struck in the space of just nine minutes to put Mikel Arteta's side in complete control.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Emerson brought the Hammers back into the game but Saka restored that three-goal margin just before the interval. Amazingly, no goals were scored in the second half with Arsenal able to claim all three points and move up to second before Chelsea and Manchester City play on Sunday.

While Arteta would have enjoyed the victory, even before the game had started, two injury blows emerged. Both Thomas Partey and Mikel Merino were absent from the matchday squad to face West Ham with Arteta able to explain their absences before the game.

"Unfortunately they both picked (up) an injury and the game came too early and they couldn't be part of the squad," he told Sky Sports. And two injury worries soon became three when Jakub Kiwior was out for the second half in place of Gabriel.

Many believed his withdrawal was because of a head injury as the penalty he won saw him fouled by Lukasz Fabianski with the West Ham goalkeeper punching him instead of the ball when trying to clear a corner. However, Arteta confirmed it was a very different reason which is perhaps more of a concern.

"It was related to the previous injury he had in Lisbon," he told reporters in a press conference. Though he was able to start the clash at London Stadium, Gabriel has clearly not gotten over the problem that saw him depart the Champions League triumph over Sporting CP earlier this week.

With that being said, he appears to have provided a positive injury update on Instagram which hints that he hopes to be involved against Man United. Alongside a number of action shots, he said: "+3 and we continue fighting together!! Thanks for your support gunners!! See you on Wednesday!! [arm flexed and red heart emoji.]"

Based on the final four words of that update, Gabriel is seemingly hopeful of featuring at Emirates Stadium next Wednesday. The 26-year-old was also part of the celebrations at full-time and showed no obvious signs of injury with it possible he was taken off as a precaution with such a busy fixture period on the horizon.