Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta confirms defender Gabriel 'out for weeks'

The centre-back has formed one of the best centre-back partnerships in world football with William Saliba at the Emirates Stadium.

However, the brilliant duo will have to be broken up for "weeks" after he sustained a thigh injury for the Brazil national team last week.

And now Arsenal boss Arteta has confirmed the bad news that Gabriel will miss a number of important fixtures with the 27-year-old set for another scan.

Speaking to reporters in a Friday pre-match press conference, Arteta said: "Yeah Gabi unfortunately picked up an injury and he's going to be out for weeks. We need to have another scan next Wednesday and we will have the timeline much more clear."

On how was absence will impact his side, Arteta added: "He's our leader in our back line and it's never a positive thing. People have to stand up now and do their job."

Arsenal, who lead the Premier League by four points from second-placed Manchester City, face arch-rivals Tottenham over the weekend and Arteta is looking forward to the North London Derby.

Arteta added: "It's just beautiful especially when we play at home. We know what the team will bring in every single action.

"It's a game that required something else, emotionally. You cannot be too hyped. The game demands that in every ball and every action, it needs that little bit more than any other game. On Sunday we need a really good performance."