Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta responds after being asked if Gabriel Magalhaes will be fit to play against West Ham United

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta provided a cryptic answer when asked if Gabriel Magales will play against West Ham United this weekend (November 30). The Brazilian is a doubt for the Premier League clash after he came off injured during his side's 5-1 win against Sporting CP in the UEFA Champions League in midweek.

Gabriel has been a vital part of the Gunners setup since he arrived in 2020 from LOSC Lille for a reported €26 million. He has made 186 appearances for the side and helped them transform into title contenders.

Speaking to the press of his side's London derby with West Ham this weekend, Arteta responded coyly when asked if the defender would be fit for the game. He said (via Football.london):

"Wait and see."

Mikel Arteta and Arsenal are fourth in the leage table, nine points behind league leaders Liverpool after 12 games. The north London side is level on points with Chelsea and Brighton & Hove Albion.

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"Everybody has a bump" - Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta discusses Manchester City's form

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has backed Manchester City despite their poor form. The English champions are currently in unfamiliar territory after failing to win in six games, the worst run of form in their manager Pep Guardiola's managerial career.

Guardiola has been an unprecedented success since he took over the club nine years ago, leading them to four consecutive league wins. Arteta believes that the Catalan manager is simply enduring a bump in the road, telling Football.london:

"What I’ve made of it is what they’ve done for nine years. Everybody has a bump. For them, it’s very strange because in nine years they never had it. Everything has to be perfect and things have to go your way."

Mikel Arteta began his coaching career in Manchester City after he retired from professional football and joined Pep Guardiola's staff. The Arsenal boss was part of the coaching setup that helped the Cityzens to two Premier League titles and an FA Cup.

Despite their recent poor run of form, the English champions are second in the table, eight points behind table-toppers Liverpool, who they face on Sunday, December 1.