Gabriel injury 'not a big problem' as defender hands Arsenal fitness boost ahead of Liverpool clash

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Standard Sport9 August 2016

Arsenal centre-back Gabriel has handed Arsene Wenger a much-needed fitness boost before the start of the Premier League season after confirming that his latest injury is "not a big problem."

Having already lost Per Mertesacker for the remainder of 2016 after the German sustained a knee injury last month, Arsene Wenger saw Brazilian centre-back Gabriel stretchered off in the closing minutes of a 3-2 win over Manchester City in Gothenburg, spoiling what had been an impressive display from Arsenal.

Laurent Koscielny has only recently returned to training after his exploits at Euro 2016 with the French national team and is not expected to recover match fitness in time for Sunday's season opener against Liverpool.

While Wenger initially suggested that Gabriel could be out for the Liverpool match and longer, the defender posted an Instagram message on Tuesday morning which allayed the fears of Gunners fans.

Gabriel posted a picture of himself training with the message: “Today I feel much better, is not a big problem thank my fans.”

Wenger had previously said of Gabriel's injury: “He's in pain and let's hope the pain is not a sign of bad news. The only thing we have to know now is how big the damage is with his ligament.

“Of course we are frustrated but I've never seen an intelligent accident. We have to take that. He played the ball 100 per cent and I think he rolled his ankle, but I don’t know how it happened. It's part of our game.

“Maybe he was a bit tired, I don’t know. Was his coordination a bit weaker, I don’t know. Was he locked in the grass with his studs… I have to speak to him.”

Wenger is still looking for an additional centre-back given Mertesacker's absence, saying: “I’ve said many times that we are in the market. Of course it’s not an easy market for us. Let’s hope we have good news from Gabriel.

“Laurent Koscielny is back in training now but he might be short for next week. If Gabriel is out, Per Mertesacker is out and Koscielny not ready - that’s a lot of players.“

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