Arsene Wenger has downplayed what looked to be a very serious injury to Gabriel by saying he is ‘likely’ to miss the season opener against Liverpool next weekend.

Stating that he thought it might be a sprain, the Arsenal manager isn’t the best at judging how long a player will be out for. While a sprain can be very serious and require crutches, I’m not entirely sure it would reduce a man of Gabriel’s character to tears.

No, his reaction, as he lay on the pitch being attended to by medics for eight minutes was to pull his shirt over his head and ball his eyes out.

GOTHENBURG, SWEDEN - AUGUST 07: Gabriel of Arsenal injured during the Pre-Season Friendly between Arsenal and Manchester City at Ullevi on August 7, 2016 in Gothenburg, Sweden. (Photo by Nils Petter Nilsson/Ombrello/Getty Images)
(Photo by Nils Petter Nilsson/Ombrello/Getty Images)

This is a man who would probably smash his face into a brick wall if he thought it would helped Arsenal and, no matter what you think of his ability as a player, to see him crying on the pitch in obvious distress does not make you feel good in the slightest.

With Per already out until the new year and Kos still on holiday, we could be playing Liverpool with Holding and Chambers in the centre. Or Monreal. Or Debuchy. You know it can happen because it’s happened before.

Will Wenger now buy two centrebacks instead of one? Unlikely. He was already looking for one when Per was crocked and he never increased that number then. Wenger doesn’t buy players on long contracts to cover for players who will be out for a shorter amount of time.

Updates on Gabriel as we get them.