Arsenal dealt Gabriel injury blow as Mikel Arteta worries grow vs Olympiacos

Gabriel Magalhaes was forced to leave the pitch during Arsenal's 2-0 win over Olympiacos at the Emirates Stadium in the Champions League. David Raya seemed to land awkwardly on the 27-year-old centre-back after collecting a cross. Medical personnel rushed onto the field moments after the collision, eventually assisting Gabriel back to his feet.

Whilst the Brazil international received attention, Cristhian Mosquera was instructed to prepare for his introduction. The 21-year-old defender, who moved to Arsenal from Valencia for just £13million in the summer, took Gabriel's place, with the Brazilian taking his position on the substitutes' bench.

The Brazilian did not seem to require any additional medical attention following his withdrawal.

When questioned by journalists before the match, Arteta was asked whether his squad faces pressure to progress further in the Champions League this campaign.

During the previous season, Paris Saint-Germain eliminated the Gunners from the tournament at the semi-final stage, prevailing 3-1 across both legs.

The French club subsequently overcame Inter Milan at the Allianz Arena in the final.

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The Arsenal head coach said: "We have the same ambition which is to go game by game and try to be better than the opponent, which is very difficult in this competition and win as many games as we can.

"Tomorrow we're going to have a really difficult one. We know how important the home form is going to be to reach in this phase where we want to arrive and tomorrow we have the opportunity to start well.

"I'm aware the moment I step in this chair that what I want with this club is to win major trophies. Nobody else has to put that line into us.

"That's the ambition, from the first day. And the excuses, they've never been part of my life."

The Spaniard made his managerial debut on the European stage back in February 2020 when Arsenal clashed with Olympiacos in the Europa League. Reflecting on facing the Greek champions again, Arteta said: "That's the beauty of football as well.

"I perfectly remember when we scored the goal, when we conceded the equaliser, the last chance that we had in the last second of the game as well to go through. What happened after that, as well, when COVID and everything hit, so it's part of the journey to get to where you are."

Regarding Olympiacos, Arteta added: "They have a really good side, and they have a really, really good manager, which I've known since I was 13 because he was my coach at that period. I know how he works.

"I know how efficient he is in what he does. That's why I'm saying that tomorrow is going to be a really tough match."