Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is confronting growing fitness concerns after three of his key defenders picked up injuries during the international break.

The Premier League leaders return to club action this week with doubts over Gabriel Magalhães, Riccardo Calafiori, and Jurrien Timber.

Before the break, Arsenal boasted one of Europe’s tightest defences, keeping eight consecutive clean sheets across all competitions before their 2-2 draw with Sunderland. They now prepare for Sunday’s north London derby against Tottenham, followed by a Champions League clash with Bayern Munich.

Gabriel was the first major setback. The Brazilian centre-back, who has formed a strong partnership with William Saliba, left Saturday’s friendly against Senegal with a thigh injury and did not travel to France for Brazil’s match against Tunisia after scans confirmed the problem. Gabriel, 27, has been pivotal in a defence that has conceded just five goals in 11 league games and has contributed two goals this season.

Calafiori, Arsenal’s first-choice left-back, also pulled out of international duty. The Italian trained alone during Italy’s qualifiers against Moldova and Norway due to a hip issue and did not feature in either game. There is cautious optimism that he could recover in time for Sunday’s clash.

Timber added to Arteta’s concerns after sustaining a painful challenge during the Netherlands’ 4-0 victory over Lithuania. He required on-pitch treatment and initially appeared to have a knee injury, though later images showed a deep cut on his leg. Timber continued for around 30 minutes before being substituted, suggesting the injury may not be serious.

Arsenal are already missing several attacking players, including Viktor Gyokores, Gabriel Martinelli, Kai Havertz, and Noni Madueke, with captain Martin Ødegaard also sidelined in recent matches.