Arsenal have been given the news that central defender Gabriel Paulista has been ruled out for up to two months with a sprained ankle.
Gabriel was injured in the final minutes of Arsenal’s pre-season victory over Manchester City on Sunday.
Initial reports suggested that the Brazilian could be our for an extended period, but the BBC’s David Ornstein (the oracle) reports that Gabriel will miss between six and eight weeks.
Arsenal CB Gabriel out 6/8wks – ankle sprain. Not quite as bad as he 1st feared but #AFC stepping up pursuit of Valencia's Shkodran Mustafi
— David Ornstein (@bbcsport_david) August 9, 2016
That leaves Arsenal requiring a centre-back as a matter of urgency. Reports have linked them with both Shkodran Mustafi and Jonny Evans.
Arsene Wenger will need any new signing to arrive by Friday to be in contention for the visit of Liverpool on Sunday.
That will also be our first 16 Conclusions of the season, you lucky buggers.
