After winning his place in the team, Arsenal defender Gabriel suffered an injury which has seen him sit out of our last few matches.

A win against Leicester City was followed by a draw with Hull City and defeat to FC Barcelona, but the Brazilian defender has said he is almost 100% fit again and ready to take his place back.

He will have to win it from Per Mertesacker once again, but Arsène Wenger could be tempted to play the Brazilian at Old Trafford on Sunday if he is deemed physically ready.

“I’m almost 100 per cent recovered,” Gabriel claims, according to the Evening Standard. “I’ve already started to do the strengthening work.”

508907570 arsenals brazilian defender gabriel chases gettyimages
Due to injury, Gabriel hasn’t played since Arsenal’s 2-0 win at Bournemouth. (GLYN KIRK/AFP/Getty Images)

The defender travelled to Brazil for treatment after suffering a muscle injury and must have been frustrated after he had just started to play regularly, but now he thinks he can be available to Wenger again soon.

Injury struck just as Gabriel had won his place in the side, just as a ban kept him out after successive starts in September, but now he’s ready to play again.

“I’m back and working with the help of Arsenal’s medical team to come back,” said the defender. “I’m very happy with the training sessions at the end of last week and hope to continue with this work to be able to be at the manager’s disposal soon.”

“I had been playing well for four or five consecutive games, being praised by everyone, so this injury took me by surprise. It made me sad, that’s why I returned to Brazil. 

“Now I want to recover as quickly as possible to be able to play with the team as soon as I can.”