Viktor Gyokeres is unlikely to characteristic for Arsenal once more till after the worldwide break, with the membership hoping he can return for the North London derby alongside Gabriel Martinelli.
Each gamers are set to overlook Tuesday’s Champions League conflict with Slavia Prague in addition to Saturday’s sport away at Sunderland, dwell on Sky Sports activities.
Gyokeres has a minor muscle problem sustained within the weekend win over Burnley, whereas Martinelli has been out since pulling up with a muscular problem within the 1-0 win over Crystal Palace.
Arsenal are hopeful the pair will return in time to face Tottenham Hotspur on the Emirates on November 23, which can also be dwell on Sky Sports activities.
Martin Odegaard, Kai Havertz and Noni Madueke may additionally return by then, however Mikel Arteta stated final week that it’s troublesome to evaluate the timeframe with two weeks of a world break nonetheless to come back.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta admitted his considerations forward of Tuesday’s Champions League outing with the £55m summer time signing from Sporting not travelling with the squad.
“He’s definitely not available,” stated Arteta. “He hasn’t trained today and we need to do some more tests and scans over the next few days to understand the full extent of the injury. This game, he’s not available.”
Requested if he’s involved or if this can be a short-term problem, Arteta replied: “I am concerned. Because he hasn’t had many muscular issues, and he needed to leave the pitch and he was feeling something.
“It is by no means a very good signal for a participant who’s explosive. We’re digging in a little bit bit extra to grasp the extent and the place we’re by way of the harm.”
It’s certainly one of seven accidents Arsenal presently have, with most of them within the ahead areas. With Havertz additionally out and Gabriel Jesus a long-term absentee, it leaves the Gunners with out a recognised No 9 for the quick future.
Arsenal have Mikel Merino and Leandro Trossard as makeshift choices in that space, however the one different recognised ahead is 17-year-old Andre Harriman-Annous, who made his Gunners debut within the Carabao Cup fourth-round win over Brighton.
Evaluation: Put together to see a special Arsenal now
Sky Sports activities’ Sam Blitz in Prague:
A key attacking participant choosing up an harm blow? Arsenal have been right here earlier than. It has not simply turn out to be a fortnightly feeling because the begin of the season, but in addition by this complete calendar 12 months.
However regardless of claims that Arsenal have the strongest squad – Gyokeres was certainly one of two gamers that Arteta couldn’t afford to lose, because the back-up possibility would take the workforce in a totally totally different route.
Martin Zubimendi is the opposite – and he’s suspended for the Slavia sport – so count on to see a special Arsenal on Tuesday evening.
The blow for Gyokeres is particularly irritating because the Swede was simply getting up to the mark. The distinction he introduced into the Gunners assault was beginning to repay, with runs in behind inflicting defences to drop and permitting area for different Arsenal attackers to flourish. Even his objectives have been coming.
Now Arsenal will probably should revert again to Merino as their most senior No 9 possibility. The Spaniard has a good objective document for membership and nation, however his pure midfield profile – and a bent to go deep – is a stark distinction to the Gyokeres sport.
Arsenal are in the identical place because the again finish of final season: with out a recognised striker obtainable for now.
The February and Might interval that adopted Havertz’s near-season-ending harm noticed Arsenal give up the Premier League title to Liverpool – and whereas there have been constructive moments similar to the 2 wins over Actual Madrid, Arsenal and Arteta fell quick of their targets.
Arteta’s temper was certainly one of frustration in his Monday press convention, as he fielded questions over accidents and fixture scheduling following the Carabao Cup quarter-final date announcement. He even stated his workforce haven’t any depth anymore.
Trossard: I may play up entrance – however left wing is my most popular spot
Arsenal winger Trossard spoke about being an possibility to exchange the injured Gyokeres because the Arsenal No 9, however admitted his current resurgence at left wing means that’s his most popular spot.
The Belgian has three objectives and three assists this season, and marked his one hundredth Premier League sport for Arsenal with an help away at Burnley.
“I think at the moment it’s the left-wing position,” stated Trossard when requested about his most popular position. “At least I have some consistency there now. I think I have shown that as well on the pitch.
“However I’m all the time in a position to play in any form of place within the entrance positions. So if the supervisor desires me to play there, I’ll attempt to do my greatest.”
