Gabriel Could Be About To ‘Cost’ Arsenal Huge Sum Due To FIFA Loophole

Gabriel Magalhaes could effectively 'cost' Arsenal a significant sum of money after suffering an injury on international duty with Brazil.

The 27-year-old limped off during Brazil's friendly against Senegal on Saturday with a suspected thigh problem.

After the match, which was held at Arsenal's Emirates Stadium, Gabriel remained in London for further assessment of the injury and for treatment.

According to BBC Sport, sources have indicated that there are fears the centre-back will miss a minimum of four weeks of action.

It is added that his absence could stretch out until January in what would be a blow for manager Mikel Arteta and his side.

Gabriel has started all 11 of Arsenal's Premier League fixtures this season, with the table-topping Gunners currently holding the best defensive record in the division.

Gabriel limped off during Brazil's friendly against Senegal (Image: Getty)

Arsenal do have more than adequate cover in the form of Colombia international defender Cristhian Mosquera, who has adapted seamlessly to English football since arriving from Valencia in the summer.

Gabriel signed a new long-term contract with Arsenal in June 2025, and is believed to be earning at least £150,000-per-week.

FIFA's Club Protection Programme, as per The Athletic, does offer a significant amount of compensation to clubs to cover salary payments in the event of an injury suffered on international duty.

But Arsenal won't receive the full amount, as the CPP caps compensation at around £120,000-per-week - even for world football's biggest stars.

The Gunners would therefore need to shell out around £30,000 each week to cover the remainder of Gabriel's salary, without him being available to play.

A four-week absence, which would see him return in mid-December, would cost Arsenal around £120,000, while an 10-week absence - which would see Gabriel not return until the end of January - would come in at around £300,000.

While Premier League wage structures and contracts mean that the money is more than accounted for, it will be Gabriel's lengthy absence that will worry Arsenal more.

While Mosquera will likely slot in at centre-back for upcoming fixtures, another possible replacement in Riccardo Calafiori may also be absent.

The Italy defender was sent home early from international duty, with Azzurri boss Gennaro Gattuso telling Sky Sport Italia: "We tried Calafiori, he had a few issues. I thank him for his commitment: he stayed here for a while, he could have played perhaps, but it wouldn't have been fair to him or Arsenal."