Arsenal have been left reeling by the news that Gabriel Magalhaes will miss the rest of the season due to injury.
Gabriel sustained a hamstring injury during Tuesday night’s Premier League meeting with Fulham, which saw him come off after just 15 minutes.
Arsenal have now confirmed that the Brazil international is set to undergo surgery on his injury in the coming days, after which he will undergo rehabilitation.
The aim is for Gabriel ‘to be ready for the start of next season’, the Gunners confirmed in a statement.
Attention now turns to who could replace Gabriel in the back four, with Jakub Kiwior, Jurrien Timber and Ben White the main candidates.
However, a number of Arsenal fans have backed another Gunners player to feature in the role – one who’s not even a centre-back by trade.
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Arsenal fans call for Declan Rice to start at centre-back
Some Arsenal fans feel midfielder Declan Rice could step in at centre-back in the coming weeks.
“Rice at CB, Jorginho in CM for me,” one fan wrote on X. “Kiwior hasn’t played all season and is sooo weak in duels. It’ll be a nightmare.”
Another said: “I’d play Rice CB against Madrid (unless White is fit). Zin Saliba Rice Timber; MLS Partey; Ode.”
The calls for Rice to play at centre-back kept coming, with one fan saying: “Time for a Saliba x Rice cb partnership. That would be unstoppable.”
Another said: “Okay so this is the choice if White is out and Timber is to stay at right-back and Gabi is now definitely out. CB: Tierney, Kiwi, Rice.
“Interesting to say the least what Arteta will do. I have a feeling it’ll be Deccers now. Either way, I still believe.”
Another said: Time for a Saliba x Rice CB partnership. That would be unstoppable.”
Declan Rice’s experience at centre-back
Although Rice is a midfielder by trade, he has considerable experience at playing centre-back from his West Ham days.
| Position | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| Defensive Midfield | 259 | 18 | 16 |
| Centre-Back | 53 | – | 1 |
| Central Midfield | 50 | 9 | 15 |
| Left-Back | 2 | – | – |
| Right-Back | 1 | – | – |
Rice has played 53 times at centre-back, which is actually more than he has played as a No. 8 over the course of his club career.
He also featured at centre-back on his first ever senior international appearance, playing in defence for the Republic of Ireland in their 1-0 friendly win over Turkiye in March 2018.
The biggest problem with Rice playing at centre-back, however, is that the Arsenal midfield is deprived of his quality in the middle of the park.
Mikel Arteta will have a lot of thinking to do in the coming days over how best to replace Gabriel.
