Mikel Arteta has provided fitness updates on both Ben White and Gabriel ahead of Monday’s trip to Newcastle United.
White has been on the sidelines with injury and managed to be on the bench in Arsenal’s defeat to Spurs on Thursday. Rob Holding was sent off meaning he is suspended for the Newcastle tie while Gabriel picked up a muscle injury in the second half.
Arteta remains hopeful the pair will be available for selection next week on Monday.
“To take that risk [of bringing on Ben White] in the situation of the game made no sense,” he said after the match.
“Our focus is Newcastle. This game is history. He felt something so hopefully Ben will be fit and Gabriel will recover as we do not have enough players in the backline.”
“Gabi is not normally a player who asks to get off the pitch. He felt something but hopefully, it’s not much. It’s a muscular problem and we’ll have to assess it.”
Spurs are now just one point behind and could even move in front of Arteta’s side by beating relegation-threatened Burnley at home on Sunday.
