Mikel Arteta has confirmed Viktor Gyokeres is out of Arsenal’s trip to Slavia Prague on Tuesday and admits he is worried over the extent of his injury issue.
The Swedish striker scored within the 2-0 Premier League win over Burnley on Saturday but had to get replaced at half-time at Turf Moor.
The summer signing from Sporting missed training on Monday so was not expected to be involved within the Champions League outing on Tuesday and Arteta has hinted that he could miss more motion.
Speaking at a pre-match press conference on Monday evening, Arteta said of Gyokeres and the trip to Slavia Prague: ‘He’s definitely not available. He hasn’t trained today.
‘We want to do some more tests and scans the following few days to know the extent of the injury but this game he’s not available.’
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On how concerned he’s over the striker’s issue, the manager said: ‘I’m concerned because he hasn’t had many muscular issues. He had to depart the pitch and he was feeling something, that’s obviously never sign especially for a player that could be very, very explosive. We’ll announce the moment we all know more.’
Pushed on exactly what injury Gyokeres is suffering with, the Spaniard said: ‘I leave that to the doctors. They’ll explain. I don’t need to talk anymore. We’ll see in the following week or so.’
The Swede had scored three goals in three appearances before this setback, which Arteta admits makes the injury especially disappointing.
‘Well obviously he was very upset after the match with what he felt but this is an element of football,’ said the Gunners boss. ‘If you happen to expect a linear line all the time going up it’s not going to occur.
‘If he’s got something he’s going to must cope with it and we are going to help him to try this. He was in a very good moment, in really good form, really vital for the team, but for tomorrow we don’t have him, that’s it.’
Arteta is a bit wanting options up front now Gyokeres is sidelined as Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus also remain sidelined.
Gabriel Martinelli can also be out, meaning it might be Leandro Trossard or Mikel Merino asked to steer the road in Prague.
Martin Odegaard and Noni Madueke also remain out injured, while Martin Zubimendi is suspended on Tuesday.
Nevertheless, the Spanish midfielder did train on Monday, which allays fears of injury after he was taken off against Burnley on Saturday.
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