Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta ‘concerned’ With Latest Viktor Gyokeres Injury Update

Mikel Arteta insisted Viktor Gyökeres won’t beryllium disposable for Arsenal’s Champions League travel to Slavia Prague stating he's worried astir a musculus wounded nan striker picked up complete nan weekend.

Gyökeres had his champion 45 minutes successful an Arsenal shirt against Burnley successful a 2–0 victory. Though, he was substituted to commencement nan 2nd half for Mikel Merino arsenic fans feared nan worst. After nan match, Arteta praised his performance and confirmed he was dealing pinch a muscular injury.

The manager’s latest update, up of their midweek Champions League bout, painted a much worrying image whilst ruling him retired against Slavia Prague.

“I americium concerned because he hasn’t had galore muscular issues and he had to time off nan pitch. He was emotion thing and that’s evidently ne'er a bully sign. Especially for a subordinate that is very, very explosive, truthful we are digging successful a small spot much to understand wherever we are successful position of nan wounded and we will denote it erstwhile we cognize more,” Arteta said successful his pre-match property conference.

The Spaniard confirmed Gyökeres is group to acquisition much testing and imaging to find nan severity. Martín Zubimendi will besides miss retired owed to yellowish paper accumulation.

Mikel Merino was utilized arsenic Arsenal’s emergency striker action past season. / Robbie Jay Barratt/AMA/Getty Images

The Gunners dealt pinch aggregate injuries past play successful onslaught that saw Gabriel Martinelli, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus and Bukayo Saka each miss time.

As such, Arteta deployed Mikel Merino arsenic a makeshift striker. Proficient successful beforehand of extremity arsenic an emergency action to adjacent retired past season, but little than perfect this play fixed nan financial investment. Merino should get nan nod up apical connected Tuesday.

Saka has recovered from a hamstring wounded earlier successful nan season, but nan Gunners are still missing Noni Madueke, Martin Ødegaard, Jesus, Martinelli and Havertz. Arteta apt reverts to Merino up apical against Slavia Prague, but if Gyökeres is forced to miss sizeable clip Arsenal mightiness request to find replacement options.

Leandro Trossard has antecedently played arsenic a mendacious 9 nether Arteta, but moving him centrally opens up a spread connected nan near if Martinelli remains sidelined. That could unit Eberechi Eze retired left, though he has looked much proficient arsenic a No. 10.

Arsenal’s extent will beryllium tested, but they person nan use of nan November world break arriving shortly. If they tin navigate trips to Slavia Prague and Sunderland without immoderate of their premier stars, Arsenal could beryllium successful a beardown position erstwhile play resumes later this period if players return to afloat fitness.

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