Mikel Arteta could be forced into a late change against Liverpool as Gabriel was reportedly missing from training on Tuesday.
Arsenal will host Jurgen Klopp's men on Wednesday evening in what is a crucial game for both sides. The Gunners are looking to boost their top-four hopes while the Reds have a chance to close the gap at the top to just one point with Manchester City dropping points against Crystal Palace on Monday night with a 0-0 stalemate.
But Arsenal's plans could have been disrupted at the last minute with claims Brazilian centre-half Gabriel didn't feature in their last training session before the big game, according to football.london. The defender has formed a brilliant partnership with Ben White this season and the north Londoners would rather not tinker with that duo given Liverpool's blistering attack headlined by Mohamed Salah.
The report states that Gabriel's girlfriend is nine months pregnant so there is a strong possibility his omission is related to that. It remains to be seen if he will be ruled out of the match but, if so, Rob Holding would likely have to take Gabriel's place in the side. Arteta has turned to the English defender on several occasions this season and he has not let him down.
Holding came off the bench against Liverpool when Granit Xhaka was sent off at Anfield and helped Arsenal secure a clean sheet in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final. Arteta called on the former Bolton man once more against Wolves, this time after Gabriel Martinelli was dismissed at Molineux, and impressed yet again.
Alternatively, Kieran Tierney could slot in beside Ben White, a role he has played various times earlier this season. That means Nuno Tavares would come in at left-back but this would be a riskier option.
Arteta says his side will try and relish their tag as favourites to finish in fourth place as Man United, Tottenham and West Ham hunt them down. But he insists his side will not get carried away as there's still a lot of football left to be played, including one of the best teams in the world on Wednesday night.
Should Rob Holding come in for Gabriel if the Brazilian misses out vs Liverpool? Comment below
The Spaniard said: "Well, that's the pressure of playing for this club, to be the best and we're not there yet. If the objective is that, it's not pressuring, it has to be a motivation, a challenge and a clear understanding that the purpose to play for this club is only to be the best and what we've done so far means absolutely nothing and I think everybody has to be encouraged and empowered by the possibility to find ways to improve and get better."
Asked if it's an advantage to have games in hand, he added: "Well, it certainly puts you in a position where you're really looking forward to look up and it gives you the belief that you can be there with the top teams in the country, but the reality is that there's still a long way to go."
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