Arsenal receive fitness boost on Gabriel ahead of Premier League clash v Everton
Arsenal have received a fitness boost on defender Gabriel ahead of their Premier League clash with Everton on Sunday 17 September, according to the Evening Standard.
According to the UK publication (11 September), the centre-back is training ahead of Brazil’s final fixture of the September international break against Peru on Tuesday (12 September) after he appeared to have picked up an injury in their 5-1 win over Bolivia.
Gabriel, who was making his long-awaited senior international debut, was then seen applying ice to his right thigh while sitting on the bench but the key Gunners defender trained as normal on Sunday which is a big boost for the Gunners ahead of Sunday’s clash at Goodison Park.
Difficult but pivotal test
Everton will have been encouraged by their 2-2 draw against Sheffield United on Saturday 2 September, but it was a game they could so easily have won had they taken their chances at Bramall Lane.
It’s an issue that has plagued the club for a long while and has reared its ugly head again this season with their two goals at the weekend the first and second of the campaign after four games.
The international break will certainly provide Sean Dyche with a chance to address those burning issues in attack and the former Burnley boss will be quaking in his boots at the sight of Arsenal coming to town, fresh from their impressive win over Manchester United before the break.
However, their plans to improve their attacking play ahead of Sunday’s game has now potentially taken a major hit before a ball has been kicked after Gabriel’s update. And the battle between Beto and the Brazilian will be a very intriguing one should Gabriel start at Goodison.
It’s an incredibly challenging game for Dyche and his men and one which Arsenal will be expected to pick up the three points.
But, Everton aren’t strangers to throwing spanners in the works when the Gunners come to town as they found out last season in February and also the season before last under Rafa Benitez.
The Toffees need to start picking up points now with no wins picked up yet and a triumph over Arsenal will provide a stunning and much-needed confidence boost to finally kickstart their campaign.
In other Everton news, the Blues could benefit from a healthy financial windfall should an “exciting” international stance be fulfilled in one of their star players.