Injury scares: Arsenal defenders Gabriel and Riccardo Calafiori were both forced off against West Ham
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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has cooled injury fears around Bukayo Saka and Riccardo Calafiori, but admitted he was forced to take Gabriel off against West Ham.
Gabriel, who opened the scoring in Arsenal’s eventful 5-2 win over at the Hammers on Saturday evening, was substituted at half-time at the London Stadium as Jakub Kiwior came on in his place.
It was the second game in a row in which the defender was forced off, having also been substituted late on in the 5-1 Champions League win at Sporting CP on Tuesday night.
Arteta confirmed it was the same issue that meant Gabriel - who also won Arsenal’s second penalty before half-time on Saturday after being fouled by West Ham goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski - had to be withdrawn again, but Arsenal will hope it is nothing serious as they prepare to host Manchester United next in the Premier League on Wednesday night.
“It was related to the previous injury he had in Lisbon,” said Arteta. “He did great to be a part of that. With that result and the state he is feeling, we decided to take him off.”
Calafiori and Saka also both came off during Arsenal’s thumping win at West Ham, likewise Martin Odegaard who stayed down briefly after an earlier challenge from Max Kilman. Saka was substituted with 16 minutes to go having earlier needed treatment after being hurt during a collision with Emerson following a shot, but Arteta said afterwards: “He’s fine.”
There was more concern over Calafiori, who was forced to come off before the hour mark in east London. The Italian has battled with injuries this season, most recently a knee problem picked up in October, and Arteta hinted this latest move was a precaution.
“Well, he’s been dealing with little niggles in the last few weeks. Obviously, he’s had a very serious knee injury and he’s doing really well, but we have to manage his minutes,” said Arteta. “Today we have to do the same.”
Arsenal were without midfielders Thomas Partey (muscle) and Mikel Merino (knee) against West Ham due to new injuries, while Arteta revealed that youngster Myles Lewis-Skelly also sustained an issue on Friday, with fellow defenders Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu already out.
“We had an issue with Gabby and then an issue with Ricci as well,” Arteta said. “Obviously yesterday we lost Thomas and Mikel and Myles, which was very bad news but what I am really happy about is Jakub has to come in, he does really well. Alex [Zinchenko] the same, Jorginho I think he was exceptional.
“That’s the level. Every three days we’re going to need everyone at their best and it’s a good sign the team can do that.”
The Gunners were in fine form against West Ham, scoring five goals for the second match in a row this week.
The win moves them up to second in the Premier League table, six points off leaders Liverpool - who host Manchester City on Sunday.
“We are in a great moment right now, but in football be on your toes and prepare the best possible way for tomorrow,” said Arteta.
“Because it is so competitive this league, the opposition that we’re playing every three days, that’s the only thing that you can do. We can analyse a lot of things to improve today, again tomorrow.
“We’ve got some momentum. I think we have some flow back, a real determination. Winning consecutive matches against three opponents is great and we’re going to enjoy tonight and watch a beautiful game of football tomorrow.”