Sutton's predictions: Everton vs Arsenalpublished at 18:31 4 April
18:31 4 April
This is going to be difficult for Arsenal. Everton defended so well against Liverpool on Wednesday, and they carried a real threat too, with Beto running in behind.
Bukayo Saka was back for the Gunners against Fulham and he will obviously boost their attack but they have picked up a few defensive injuries, including Gabriel being out for the rest of the season.
Mikel Arteta's side have got Tuesday's Champions League tie with Real Madrid to think about and, on top of that, this is an early kick-off to deal with too. None of that helps.
I want Arsenal to keep on winning to put some pressure on Liverpool but Everton drew 0-0 at Emirates Stadium in December, when Sean Dyche was in charge, and everything points towards a similar outcome this time.
Arteta on Saka's return, a 'very special' fixture and hamstring injuries published at 14:53 4 April
14:53 4 April
Millie Sian BBC Sport journalist
Mikel Arteta has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game at Everton (kick-off 12:30 BST).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Gabriel's injury was "a tough one to digest" but Arteta is focused on being able to "find solutions to keep on competing" in his absence.
On the challenge of working out who can play in central defence: "We are in the most important and beautiful part of the season. We have to react to these things. Other players are going to have the opportunity to play and the team has to find other ways. We have the resources to cope with it."
On why four Arsenal players have picked up hamstring injuries this season: "I don't think it's specific to Arsenal. It's difficult to put a finger on one reason that's causing all those injuries because all four have been completely different."
He added that one of the injuries was picked up after two days off and another was after three consecutive matches
In terms of defensive options, Arteta ruled out Riccardo Calafiori but said there is "a chance" Ben White and Jurrien Timber will be involved: "The problem is that we have a few players returning, so we are going to have to decide this evening or early tomorrow morning which players we can play and for how long."
He did not confirm whether Bukayo Saka, who recently returned from a hamstring injury, will be rested or awarded more minutes ahead of their Champions League quarter-final first leg against Real Madrid but said: "He needs exposure. He wants more minutes. It's clear, and in the last two days he has been demanding more - so that's a good sign."
Arteta said Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka's attacking partnership is "something very special": "They have played so many minutes together that it flows naturally and in the right way now. Their qualities complement each other really well."
Arsenal's final game at Goodison Park will be "very special" because there is "a lot of history between the clubs". He also praised his former manager David Moyes for returning to Everton, adding that "it is never easy to come back for a second time".
On the atmosphere and culture he has created at Arsenal: "The feeling that I have when I wake up in the morning is that I'm desperate to come through those doors and share my day with everybody - the staff, the players and everybody around the club. That is a privilege that has been built between all of us."
He added he hopes this will be "sustained for many years".
Finally, when informed AI has determined he is the best looking manager in the Premier League, he laughed and said: "My Mum and Dad should be very proud!"
Gabriel injury 'too much even for the most positive' Arsenal fan?published at 10:03 4 April
10:03 4 April
Alex Howell BBC Sport football news reporter
Image source, Getty Images
The news that Gabriel is going to be out for the whole season is a big blow for Arsenal and Mikel Arteta.
The centre-back has arguably been Arsenal's best player this season, but his injury is just the latest chapter in frustrating campaign .
Just as it looked like they were getting in a position to challenge Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-final, with Bukayo Saka back from his long-term hamstring injury, they lose Gabriel for the rest of the campaign.
After the win over Fulham, Arteta said the Gunners' injury situation has been "like this the whole season".
He has put a brave face on, amid the continued disappointment of losing key players, but this injury to Gabriel will make him start to question what is going on.
Alongside Gabriel, Arsenal have lost Gabriel Martinelli, Bukayo Saka and Kai Havertz for lengthy periods of time with hamstring injuries.
The Gunners also have fitness worries over Ben White who has suffered a "niggle" in his knee while he returns from a long-term injury of his own and Jurrien Timber could not finish the game against Fulham either.
Arsenal are still second in the league table and have the huge tie against Real Madrid to look forward to, but it is starting to get to the point where it feels like the amount of injuries they have will make it too much even for the most positive Arsenal fan to think they can beat Carlo Ancelotti's side.
Everton v Arsenal: Did you know?published at 09:16 4 April
09:16 4 April
Image source, Getty Images
After winning four out of five league games against Arsenal between December 2020 and February 2023, Everton are now without a win in their past four league meetings with the Gunners (drawn one, lost three).
Arsenal have won just three of their past 26 away games on Merseyside against Everton and Liverpool (drawn 10, lost 13) in all competitions. They had won six of their previous seven visits before this run.
Martin Odegaard has been involved in five goals in his past seven Premier League appearances against Everton (three goals, two assists), although only one of these goals was scored at Goodison Park.
Gossip: Antony emerges as shock target for Arsenalpublished at 07:22 4 April
07:22 4 April
Manchester United winger Antony has been identified as a top target for Arsenal, with the 25-year-old Brazil international impressing during a loan spell at Real Betis. (Fichajes - in Spanish), external
Deportivo La Coruna winger Yeremay Hernandez is attracting interest from Arsenal and Chelsea. (Teamtalk), external
Up to 11 Arsenal players, including 28-year-old left-back Oleksandr Zinchenko and 25-year-old defender Jakub Kiwior, could depart this summer to bolster the club's spending power in the transfer window. (Mirror), external
Kiwior's time to shine? How to replace Gabrielpublished at 17:09 3 April
17:09 3 April
Image source, Getty Images
We asked for your views on Gabriel's season-ending injury for Arsenal.
Here are some of your comments:
Aaron: It's pretty devastating news and just sums up our season. Bukayo Saka being back for Madrid was a huge boost, but any feelings of optimism have been crushed by losing Gabi. Jakub Kiwior - it's time for you to be a hero!
Andrew: Gabriel has been a standout performer in a testing season for the Gunners. Due to the injuries in forward areas, goals have been hard to come by. This has meant keeping goals out was crucial in an effort to challenge for the title. The loss of Gabriel alongside the injuries to Ben White, Riccardo Calafiori and Jurrien Timber means a real test of defensive cover against the current European champions.
Jamie: A silver lining - this should give Kiwior a run in the team and the chance to show what he can do leading to either a new contract or getting more money for him.
Carl: There needs to be an inquest at Arsenal as to why this season we are getting so many hamstring and knee injuries? Something is wrong as other clubs do not suffer in high numbers like us.
Finlay: I don't think we have a back-up centre-back strong enough to replace Gabriel in a high calibre game against Real Madrid. The odds of victory weren't great before but without him I'd say they are next to none.
Ste: If anything could sum up our season, this is it. Big injury to a big player at exactly the wrong time. Is it one injury too many to win the Champions League this season? Probably. But we did make the 2006 final with a makeshift back four, so you never know.
How will Gunners cope without Gabriel?published at 14:35 3 April
14:35 3 April
Image source, Getty Images
Gabriel's season-ending injury is obviously a big blow to Arsenal as they prepare to face Real Madrid in the Champions League and try to keep alive faint hopes in the Premier League.
The Gunners have a 41% win rate in games they have played without the defender since his arrival compared to 63.5% when he has featured.
How will Mikel Arteta cope without the centre-back? Is Champions League glory still possible without him? And what do you want Arsenal's defence to look like for the rest of the season?
Gossip: Berta keen to sign Williamspublished at 07:45 3 April
07:45 3 April
Arsenal's new sporting director Andrea Berta met with Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams' agent in recent days to discuss a summer move for the 22-year-old Spain international. (Guardian), external
Saka 'truly grateful' for supportpublished at 18:44 2 April
18:44 2 April
Image source, Getty Images
Arsenal forward Bukayo Saka has thanked fans for their support after his injury return on Tuesday.
The 23-year-old made his first appearance since December when he came on as a substitute in the Gunners' win 2-1 over Fulham at the Emirates.
Saka received a rousing reception from supporters when he entered the pitch and showed just what the side had been missing by scoring seven minutes later - going to thank backroom staff who helped him during his recovery after he celebrated.
The England international posted on social media, external on Wednesday to show his gratitude and said: "I have to acknowledge and thank you all for the energy and love you showed me last night.
"I've never seen or felt anything like what I felt at the Emirates last night.
'We respect them, but we don't fear any team' published at 15:09 2 April
15:09 2 April
Image source, Getty Images
Arsenal's Myles Lewis-Skelly has insisted the Gunners will not fear Real Madrid when they face the Spanish giants in the Champions League.
The north London club are getting ready to take on the 15-time winners in the first leg of the quarter-final on Tuesday.
"Real Madrid are a great team and they have the most victories in the Champions League. We respect them, but we don't fear any team.
"We have just got to stay together. If we control everything we can control, I am sure we will be fine," said 18-year-old Lewis-Skelly.
Mikel Areta's squad have been hit by injuries this season, with defenders Gabriel and Jurrien Timber going off with problems during the 2-1 victory over Fulham.
However, Arsenal do have their talisman Bukayo Saka back just in time, and Lewis-Skelly added: "He helps us a lot. He has a presence about him, he knows what he is doing and he has belief in himself.
"When he has the ball at his feet he creates magic."
'We need him for big matches and big occasions'published at 12:30 2 April
12:30 2 April
Alex Howell BBC Sport football news reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Mikel Arteta will not believe his bad luck.
In the same game as key player Bukayo Saka scored on his long-awaited return from injury, the Arsenal manager lost another in centre-back Gabriel before their Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid next week.
The defender limped off in the first half of Tuesday's 2-1 win over Fulham with a hamstring injury. To add to Arteta's defensive worries, Jurrien Timber also had to be withdrawn against Fulham with a knee problem, while Ben White and Riccardo Calafiori were ruled out of the game with knee trouble.
Gabriel has been one of the Gunners' best performers in a challenging season and team-mate Declan Rice acknowledged his value to their Champions League chances.
"I don't know what's happened. I hope he's OK because he's been arguably our best player this season and we need him for big matches and big occasions," said Rice.
Arsenal's chances of winning suffer when Gabriel is out of the team. The team's win percentage is 63.50% from the 159 games he has played since his Premier League debut compared to 40.90% in the 22 games he has missed in the league during that time.
Arsenal 2-1 Fulham - fans' verdict published at 10:21 2 April
10:21 2 April
Image source, Getty Images
We asked for your views on Arsenal's win against Fulham in the Premier League.
Here are some of your comments:
Denis: Deserved win. Glimpses of 2022-23 season with Gabriel Martinelli proactively creating chances and a great assist to put Bukayo Saka on the scoresheet. Shaky defence in the final 10 minutes. This week's matches are crucial to set up a good team against Real Madrid, who just got themselves into a cup final. Injuries do not help. Mikel Arteta has a lot to think about.
Hamza: Good result and some decent performances but shocking how Jurrien Timber wasn't subbed at half-time. Just unnecessary and poor management especially as we have Real Madrid next week.
Bob: As good a full-back as Myles Lewis-Skelly is, this is not for the first time he's lost who he was supposed to be marking. Good to see Gabriel Martinelli back to his old self. I made him player of the match.
Michael: More injures, which may not be serious, but it has been said that Arsenal now have four injured defenders. Well, don't forget Takehiro Tomiyasu who has barely played a game this season. I really rate him, and that makes FIVE injured defenders!
Ken: Unfortunately there is no chance for even a draw in one of the two games against Real Madrid, especially after the latest injuries. So, Arsenal's season is over, the rest of the Premier League games are for maintaining their top-four place for next season in Champions League.
'Written in the stars' - has 'special' Saka kept title race alive?published at 08:55 2 April
08:55 2 April
Image source, Getty Images
Former Brighton striker Glen Murray says returning star Bukayo Saka brings "something special" to Arsenal after he scored seven minutes into his first appearance since December.
The Gunners beat Fulham 2-1 to maintain their slim hopes of the title.
"Arsenal did enough in the first half," Murray told the Football Daily podcast.
"They were fortunate to break the deadlock with [Mikel] Merino's deflected goal that nestled into the side-netting of Bernd Leno's goal.
"In the second half, the tempo went up a little bit in the stadium. The introduction of Saka bought a bit more quality and obviously it was written in the stars that he would be the one to score and put them 2-0 up.
"We think he came through unscathed, which is massive after he's been out for so long. He just brings a different energy to the team - a different dimension - and he makes the players around him better.
"He makes Arsenal tick. Every time he gets the ball there is an anticipation around the stadium. He knows where to be and what to do. He brings something special to Arsenal. He's one of their own and the reception he got when he came on was really special.
"For the last two minutes it was a little bit nervy. Arsenal though saw it out. They did enough and it keeps the title race alive."
'Back with a bang' - Wednesday's back pagespublished at 07:53 2 April
07:53 2 April
Wednesday's back pages focus on Arsenal moving within nine points of league leaders Liverpool after a 2-1 home win over Fulham.
The Telegraph focus on Bukayo Saka's returning from injury with a 'bang', scoring the game's decisive goal seven minutes into his first appearance since December.
The Mirror make the case that the Gunners have kept their title dreams alive and will not give up the fight despite Liverpool's big lead.
They opt for a big picture of midfielder Mikel Merino who scored his fifth goal in eight games while operating as a makeshift striker.
The Gunners, Newcastle and Nottingham Forest are among the clubs interested in Roma's 25-year-old Ivory Coast defender Evan Ndicka, who is rated at 40m euros (£33.4m). (Caught Offside), external