Arsenal have confirmed defender Gabriel Magalhaes will miss the rest of the season due to a hamstring injury.

Gabriel was taken off early on during Arsenal's win over Fulham on Tuesday.

And the Brazil international will now require surgery to solve the issue, meaning Mikel Arteta will be without a key player for the run-in.

Arsenal's Premier League title hopes are fading fast, with the Gunners trailing leaders Liverpool by 12 points with eight matches remaining.

However, they are into the Champions League quarter-finals and will now have to try and overcome heavyweights Real Madrid without one of their most consistent performers.

An Arsenal statement explained that Gabriel will "immediately begin his recovery and rehabilitation programme, with the aim to be ready for the start of next season."

Along with his regular defensive partner William Saliba, Gabriel leads the way for Arsenal for clearances (89) in the league this term.

The former Lille centre-back has won 55 of his 93 aerial duels, and 15 of 25 tackles, while making 16 interceptions.

Before facing Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League tie, Arsenal take on Everton at Goodison Park.