Arsenal defender Gabriel to miss FA Cup final after being ruled out for eight weeks
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ByEurosport
Updated 24/05/2017 at 10:23 GMT
Arsenal's problems deepened ahead of the FA Cup final with Chelsea as Brazilian central defender Gabriel Paulista was ruled out for up to eight weeks with a knee injury suffered against Everton.
Gabriel Paulista has been ruled out for eight weeks with a knee injury.
Image credit: Eurosport
"Gabriel is out for six to eight weeks," Wenger told a news conference on Wednesday. "We had a scare about his cruciate, but it's medial. He avoids surgery.
Arsenal's Laurent Koscielny will also be missing. He has to serve a three-match suspension after his appeal against his sending-off in Sunday's win over Everton was dismissed by the Football Association.
The 31-year-old received a straight red card for his reckless first-half challenge on Enner Valencia and will therefore miss Saturday's final at Wembley and the first two domestic fixtures of next season.
Arsenal beat Everton 3-1 despite his dismissal, but his confirmed absence is a further disappointment for manager Arsene Wenger, who also has fitness concerns over another defender in Shkodran Mustafi.
"Shkodran Mustafi, we have some worries, because he is still sick at the moment. He has not trained yet," said Wenger.
"It's unbelievable and unpredictable and we are hit hard in a position where we need to be strong on Saturday. We have to find solutions and hopefully I can find those solutions."
Per Mertesacker came on for Gabriel for his first action of the season against Everton and look set for a place in Saturday's final squad.
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