MIKEL ARTETA has revealed that Arsenal have been dealt a double injury blow following their win over Burnley.
The Gunners coasted to a comfortable 2-0 win at Turf Moor, but had cause for concern as two of their stars were taken off through injury.
Viktor Gyokeres is one of two players confirmed to have picked up injuries against BurnleyCredit: Alamy
Martin Zubimendi was revealed to have asked to be withdrawn during the matchCredit: Shutterstock Editorial
Summer signings Viktor Gyokeres and Martin Zubimendi were both withdrawn in the match, in what Arteta has since confirmed as injury-related swaps.
Star striker Gyokeres was the first to come off when he was swapped out for Mikel Merino at half-time.
The 27-year-old was having a strong game that saw him open the scoring from close range after 14 minutes, but his day was cut short after picking up a knock.
Arteta said of the Swede’s withdrawal: “Gyokeres was feeling a little niggle, muscular.”
Zubimendi would then make way in the 77th minute for former Brentford man Christian Norgaard to see out the match.
But the injury sustained by his teammate is less clear, with Arteta only revealing: “Zubi asked to be subbed, so we have to wait.”
The Spanish boss appears to be playing his cards close to his chest with the changes as he waits to find out the extent of the damage done to both stars.
A long spell on the sidelines, for Gyokeres especially, could spell disaster for an Arsenal side who have already be ravaged by injury this campaign.
The Gunners saw three players substituted early last week against Crystal Palace through injury concerns.
Ricciardo Calafiori, William Saliba and Declan Rice all picked up kncoks in the fixture, but were able to recover in time for the Burnley win on Saturday.
But not all the club’s injury issues have been resolved so swiftly.
Bukayo Saka is still spinning up after spending weeks on the sidelines due to a hamstring injury.
Elsewhere, creative spark Martin Odegaard remains unavailable through to mid November with a knee injury.
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