Mikel Arteta must bring down the intensity of his training sessions, or risk injuries derailing Arsenal’s title chances.
That's the view of former Gunners star Perry Groves, who has voiced his concerns over the amount muscular issues being suffered in the ranks of the Premier League leaders.
Viktor Gyokeres will miss Arsenal's Champions League clash with Slavia Prague
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Viktor Gyokeres will miss Arsenal's Champions League clash with Slavia PragueCredit: Getty
Mikel Arteta told to make one key change as injuries threaten to derail Premier League title bid
This comes after the news that Viktor Gyokeres will play no part in Arsenal's Champions League clash with Slavia Prague on Tuesday, live on talkSPORT 2.
Worrying update
Arteta revealed that his £64million summer signing has not travelled with the Gunners' squad to the Czech capital after picking up a muscle injury during Arsenal's 2-0 win over Burnley on Saturday.
Speaking ahead of the European clash, the Spaniard said of Gyokeres: "He's definitely not available.
"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."
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Asked if he is concerned and if this is a short-term issue, 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's never a good sign, especially for a player who is explosive.
"We are digging in a little bit more to understand the extent and where we are in terms of the injury, and we’ll announce the moment we know [more].”
Gyokeres is one of six key players in the Arsenal squad currently ruled out through injury.
Many of these are in attacking areas, with Kai Havertz not due to be back until after the November international break and Gabriel Jesus a long-term absentee.
Elsewhere, captain Martin Odegaard and winger Noni Madueke are both out with knee injuries, while Gabriel Martinelli hobbled off at the weekend with a minor niggle.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta
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Arteta has led Arsenal to three consecutive Premier League runners-up finishes, but injuries have hampered his teamsCredit: Arsenal FC via Getty
Martin Odegaard suffers a knee injury for Arsenal against West Ham.
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Odegaard suffered an MCL injury against West Ham in OctoberCredit: Getty
'It can't be a coincidence'
Former Arsenal midfielder Groves has highlighted the high incidence of muscle issues in Arteta's squad as a real concern.
As well as their significant injury list this term, the Gunners were plagued with fitness problems last season, with the likes of Jesus, Havertz and Bukayo Saka all spending long spells out.
Speaking on talkSPORT on Tuesday, Groves said: “It's a strange one because injuries like the Odegaard injury, which is an impact injury - knee on knee - and he did his shoulder before, where he had the fall.
“You can't account for those, you know what I mean? That is just part of football."
While Groves admitted contact injuries are part and parcel of the game, he was more worried about the persistent muscle issues in the Arsenal squad.
While Gyokeres is their only absentee with a muscle problem, last season saw four Gunners stars suffer hamstring injuries - Martinelli, Saka, Havertz and Gabriel Magalhaes.
Groves couldn't help but comment on Arsenal's injury problems
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Groves couldn't help but comment on Arsenal's injury problems
With three of them requiring surgery, Groves commented: “Arsenal seem to be picking up a lot of niggling muscular injuries.
"Like last season, if you think three Arsenal players had hamstring operations.
"[With] one, you can be unlucky. Two is sort of never known, and three is like unbelievable. So I don't know."
While the ex-Gunner suggested the playing surface could be a factor, he also had some words of warning for Arteta.
Groves continued: “I've said before about the pitches - I think all the pitches compared to when I played, they're all a lot harder.
"There's not as much give in the pitches, because they're more sand and stone based. So that could be a reason.
Arsenal's current injuries:
Player Injury Expected return
Viktor Gyokeres Muscle Unspecified
Martin Odegaard MCL (knee) November 24
Gabriel Jesus ACL (knee) January 4
Kai Havertz Knee November 23
Noni Madueke Knee November 24
Gabriel Martinelli Thigh Unspecified
Declan Rice featured in all but three of Arsenal's Premier League games last season - the Gunners would be in trouble if he got injured
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Declan Rice featured in all but three of Arsenal's Premier League games last season - the Gunners would be in trouble if he got injuredCredit: Getty
“Maybe the intensity of training has to come down a little bit, because it can't be coincidence having so many muscular problems.”
Mr Indispensable
With Arsenal currently sitting top of the Premier League table, as well as joint top in the Champions League league phase standings, they will be desperate to avoid any further injury blows.
And while keeping as many of their current squad fit as possible will be crucial to their title chances, Groves highlighted one star who they cannot afford to lose.
Naming the indispensable figure, he said: “Declan Rice - I think he's probably the most unique out of all the players.
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“I call him the 'Arsenal Springer Spaniel' because he just bounces around exactly the same in the first minute as what he does in the 95th - he's relentless.
“He's got to be careful tonight, because he's on a booking - so don’t want to get booked because he misses the Bayern Munich game if he does. But I think he's the most unique out of all the players.”