Mikel Arteta already knows which Arsenal player should replace Gabriel after latest injury blow

Arsenal's 2-1 Premier League win over Fulham came at a price. Defender Gabriel Magalhaes limped off with just 15 minutes on the clock after appearing to suffer a hamstring injury.

With eight league games of the season to go and, more importantly, two Champions League quarter-final ties against Real Madrid to come, it does not look good for the Brazilian. Mikel Arteta welcomes the La Liga giants to Emirates Stadium next Tuesday, just three days after the league clash at Everton. The second leg against Carlo Ancelotti's side is on Wednesday, April 16.

Alongside William Saliba, Gabriel has been immense for Arsenal in recent years. The 27-year-old has featured 42 times for the Gunners this season and has played a part in keeping 14 clean sheets. He also has five goals and three assists to his name. Not bad at all for a defender.

It is not yet clear how long Gabriel will be out for, with the defender set for tests to determine the severity of the injury on Wednesday. "Gabi felt something in his hamstring. We don't know how big that is," Arteta said after the match on Tuesday night.

Jakub Kiwior was the man to replace Gabriel against Fulham and the Polish international now looks set for a spell in the side. It provides the 25-year-old the perfect opportunity to show Gunners supporters and Arteta the class he possesses.

The former Spezia man has made just 18 appearances for the north Londoners this term, although many of those have been off the bench. His 74 minutes on the pitch against Fulham was mostly comfortable, despite one lapse in concentration which led to a chance for Adama Traore.

"The good thing with Jakub is that he's been very reliable," Arteta said on Kiwior in his post match press conference. "Every time we need him he's always there, he's available.

"He does his job, we ask him to play as a left-centre-back, as a right-centre-back, as a left-full-back. So, he's ready. He has a smile on his face, you know, he's sad for Gabi, but he really wanted to play as well, and he will be fine."

With Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori battling injuries of their own, Kiwior looks set to partner Saliba for the clash at Everton on Saturday. He will likely be tasked with keeping Kylian Mbappe and Co quiet back in north London next Tuesday as well. This is Kiwior's time and he must take it. His future may just depend on it.