Spanish coach Mikel Arteta, head of Arsenal, received a major setback after his Brazilian defender Gabriel got injured during the current international break in November.

Gabriel, 27 years old, injured his leg while playing for the Brazilian national team last week. He was substituted in the 65th minute of the friendly match in which Brazil defeated Senegal 2-0.

Gabriel is considered one of the key pillars in Arsenal's lineup and has contributed significantly to the team leading the English Premier League table after 11 rounds.

The Athletic revealed that Gabriel's injury could keep him off the field for a period ranging from one to two months. The player will undergo additional tests to accurately determine the extent of the injury. Initial indications suggest he will miss the North London derby against Tottenham Hotspur, as well as the match against Bayern Munich three days later in the Champions League at the Emirates Stadium.

Gabriel's absence poses a significant challenge for Arsenal, especially during a busy period featuring nine matches in 31 days, given his leadership role and outstanding defensive and offensive performance this season. However, the team has good defensive depth, and Arteta may rely on Cristian Romero to fill in for him, with the possibility of playing Ricardo Calafiori or Piero Hincapié to maintain balance in the defense between the right and left sides.

This situation puts Arsenal to a real test in utilizing their defensive options ahead of a series of crucial matches in the league and the Champions League.