How Arsenal Could Line Up Without Gabriel for the North London Derby

Arsenal are facing an anxious wait over the fitness of Gabriel as preparations continue for Sunday’s north London derby.

The defender suffered a thigh injury while representing Brazil in their 2-0 victory over Senegal on Saturday, forcing him to withdraw from the squad before their friendly against Tunisia. He is now back in London, where Arsenal’s medical team will assess him in the coming days to determine the severity of the problem.

Gabriel has been one of Arsenal’s most consistent and influential performers this season, forming a reliable partnership at the heart of defence. His absence would represent a significant setback for Mikel Arteta, particularly with a fixture as demanding as Tottenham at the Emirates Stadium on the horizon.

Should Gabriel fail to pass his fitness tests, Arteta may be forced to adjust both personnel and structure to maintain defensive stability. Several options are available, each carrying different tactical implications.

1. Starting Piero Hincapié

One straightforward solution would be to hand Piero Hincapié just his third start for the club. The Ecuador international offers pace, composure on the ball, and strong recovery ability. Slotting him in on the left side of central defence would allow Arsenal to maintain their usual shape with minimal disruption.

2. Shifting Jakub Kiwior into central defence

Another option is moving Jakub Kiwior into his natural centre-back position. Kiwior has covered at left-back on multiple occasions but is comfortable operating in the middle. This change would preserve defensive balance and allow Arsenal to bring in a more attack-minded full-back if needed.

3. Reverting to a back three

Arteta could also switch to a back-three system, using William Saliba, Kiwior, and Hincapié together. This would provide additional defensive security while enabling the wing-backs to push higher and stretch Tottenham’s shape.

As Arsenal await clarity on Gabriel’s condition, these alternatives offer potential pathways to navigate a crucial derby without one of their key players.