Gabriel gets early return to Arsenal training ahead of Leeds clash
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Arsenal will have Gabriel back on the training pitch earlier than usual this week, with the defender set to report for duty ahead of Saturday's lunchtime kick-off against Leeds.
It has been an unusual international break for Mikel Arteta, who has been working with a skeleton first-team group at London Colney. Ben White, Cristhian Mosquera, Noni Madueke and Piero Hincapie have been among the few senior players on the grass, with Illan Meslier also not away on national duty. Declan Rice, meanwhile, has been given an extended break to manage his workload after pulling out of the senior squad.
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That has created openings for some of Arsenal's academy prospects. Theo Julienne and Elijah Upson joined the main training group last week, while Igor Tyjon also trained under Arteta's watch. Marli Salmon has also been involved after withdrawing from England Under-18s duty.
South American pair back early
The squad will now be strengthened by the return of Gabriel and Bruno Guimaraes, with South American internationals typically the last to rejoin their clubs after a break, often arriving only a day or two before a match. This time is different.
Brazil played just three fixtures during this international window, with their final game taking place on Saturday. European-based players, including Arsenal's English and Spanish contingent, still have fixtures to play on Tuesday night, but Gabriel and Guimaraes are already finished with international duty.
Both players featured as second-half substitutes in Brazil's win over India in Kolkata and came through the match unscathed, despite a demanding travel schedule that took in friendlies in both Australia and India.
Guimaraes started both of Brazil's matches against Australia, scoring in the second of those games, before playing 45 minutes against India. Gabriel had a quieter break by comparison, starting only one of the three matches and being an unused substitute in the first game in Australia.
Ancelotti's praise
Brazil boss Carlo Ancelotti singled out both players when discussing the figures he wants to lead the national team's next generation.
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