Mikel Arteta admits concern over Viktor Gyokeres injury as Arsenal striker ruled out of Champions League clash
Mikel Arteta, the manager of Arsenal, acknowledges that he is worried about star striker Viktor Gyokeres following the Swede’s muscular injury sustained during Saturday’s victory over Burnley.
The Gunners will take on Slavia Prague in the Champions League this week, but they won’t have their star player up front because he didn’t show up for training on Monday.
Gyokeres has quickly adapted to his new team, scoring six goals in 14 games this season across all competitions.
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Arsenal supporters have been thrilled with their new striker’s performance both on and off the ball as he continues to adjust to life back in England, despite the fact that he has yet to score against a Premier League team in the top half.
The former Sporting player was substituted at halftime during the 2-0 victory at Turf Moor, but despite being a staple in the starting lineup, he is anticipated to miss some time.
This will contain the most recent Champions League match, in which Arsenal will try to keep up their flawless record in Prague.
Head coach Arteta acknowledged that he is concerned about the severity of the 27-year-old’s injury at his press conference prior to the travel to the Czech Republic.
“He hasn’t had many muscular issues, and he had to leave the pitch because he was feeling something,” he stated. For a player who is extremely explosive, that is a risk.
Now, the Gunners are in a familiar predicament. Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz are also out, leaving the team without a recognised striker in Gyokeres.
Arteta’s injury coincides with his team’s attempt to hold onto their six-point advantage atop the Premier League standings. Gyokeres has never battled injuries in his career, as the Spaniard noted.
The former Brighton and Coventry player has only missed five club and national games in his career, but a muscular problem is concerning for a player who depends on having explosive movements.
Competitors Micky van de Ven, a centre back for Tottenham, had a similar issue the previous season.
The Dutchman, who is renowned for his speed and running strength, suffered the worst injury possible for a player of his calibre when he tore his hamstring.
Arteta will be hoping that Gyokeres’ injury is far less severe. In addition to Gyokeres, Havertz, and Jesus, Arsenal is lacking a number of other important players.
During the Burnley game, midfielder Martin Zubimendi also complained of muscle soreness. After receiving treatment, he was replaced for Christian Norgaard late in the game.
The Spaniard participated in Monday’s training session, which is encouraging ahead of the Gunners’ Premier League match against Sunderland this weekend, despite being suspended for the trip to Prague after receiving three yellow cards during the campaign.
After joining from Chelsea in a £50 million summer transfer, Noni Madueke has been sidelined since September due to a knee injury sustained in a 1-1 draw with Manchester City.
In order to increase his chances of playing for England during the next international break, the winger is reportedly pushing for a return after avoiding surgery.
Martin Odegaard, the club’s captain, has had a challenging season due to persistent shoulder problems and a recent knee injury he suffered during last month’s 2-0 victory over West Ham.
Odegaard hasn’t played since that game, but Arteta is hopeful that he, Havertz, and Madueke will be able to play in the next north London derby.
As if that weren’t enough harm to the Arsenal team, Gabriel Martinelli has also missed the last two games due to a thigh strain he sustained late in October’s victory against Crystal Palace.
As we approach the break, the London club will need to put in a lot of effort in the hopes of regaining their core in time for a pivotal winter season in which they will compete for the championship.
This season, as Arsenal pursues elusive trophies under Arteta, every match will feel like a championship game.
They are still strong favourites to win both the Champions League and the Premier League.
However, they’ve been here before, and it just takes one or two mistakes for a team to lose the crown; when they play Sunderland on Saturday, it might be a banana skin.
