Arsenal vs Everton (December 14, 2024) Before the game

Dec 13 (Reuters) – Arsenal central defender Gabriel Magalhaes has taken part in training and could be available for Saturday’s Premier League game against Everton at the Emirates Stadium after recovering from a thigh injury, coach Mikel Arteta said on Friday.

The 26-year-old Brazilian, who was substituted in the second half of a 5-2 win at West Ham United in November, has since missed a 2-0 home win over Manchester United, a 1-1 draw at Fulham and 3 :0 Champions League home win over Monaco.

Arsenal were also without new signing Riccardo Calafiori after the 22-year-old Italian defender was injured against West Ham.

“There is a possibility that one of them may be available. He trained today. It’s Gabriel,” Arteta told reporters.

On Calafiori, Arteta said: “We just respect the times that the medical department has set. We monitor him every day.”

Third-placed Arsenal, six points behind leaders Liverpool with the Merseyside club still having a game in hand, has been hit by injuries to defenders Ben White, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Takehiro Tomiyasu and Arteta was hoping squad availability would improve would .

“I never expect the January (transfer window) to be busy but there are always some surprises,” Arteta added.

But injuries have led to young players stepping up, including 18-year-old Myles Lewis-Skelly, who plays as a midfielder or left-back.

Lewis-Skelly played a key role in winger Bukayo Saka’s opener against Monaco on Wednesday.

“You always take a risk. It doesn’t matter what experience or age. He was surrounded by very experienced players. We believed he could help the team win the game and he definitely did that,” Arteta said.

Arteta, who played for Everton between 2005 and 2011, had kind words for his former club.

“The human quality and then how deep the feeling for the club is. The club has gone through very different phases in its history, but I love the way they all come together and weather the storms,” said the Spaniard.

Everton, in 15th place, had extra days of rest after their Merseyside derby against Liverpool last weekend was postponed due to adverse weather conditions.

“That’s the context. We are so used to playing every three days. The boys are really hot and excited and understand that we have to be really good to beat them,” Arteta said.

(Reporting by Pearl Josephine Nazare in Bengaluru, Editing by Toby Davis)