All the latest Arsenal news from the Emirates, including an update on striker Viktor Gyokeres, his replacement and a mega clash looming against Bayern Munich
Dylan James and Neil Docking
07:04, 06 Nov 2025
Mikel Arteta has a major injury worry at Arsenal
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Mikel Arteta has a major injury worry at Arsenal
Arsenal maintained their flawless Champions League record with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Czech Republic side Slavia Prague.
With Viktor Gyokeres sidelined, Mikel Merino stepped up to the plate as striker and bagged a double on the night. Bukayo Saka kicked off the scoring in the 32nd minute, converting from the penalty spot. The match marked the eighth consecutive game in which Arsenal have kept a clean sheet.
Youngster Max Dowman also made history by becoming the youngest ever Champions League player at 15 years and 308 days old. This Saturday, Arsenal are set to face high-flying Sunderland at the Stadium of Light. The Gunners will be pitted against former Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka, who is at the heart of the newly-promoted side's impressive Premier League run this season.
Ahead of this clash, here's all the latest news from the Emirates.
Gyokeres injury update
Viktor Gyokeres of Arsenal gestures during the Premier League match between Burnley and Arsenal at Turf Moor
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(Image: Offside via Getty Images)
Striker Gyokeres will be absent for Arsenal's journey to the north east on Saturday evening, reports the Mirror.
He has been omitted from Sweden's squad for their upcoming matches against Switzerland and Slovenia. It's believed he's grappling with a hamstring injury.
The Swedish forward was forced to leave the pitch at half-time during Arsenal's 2-0 triumph over Burnley last weekend and he'll now undergo scans to assess the severity of his injury.
Mikel Arteta is set to provide a fitness bulletin on his striker's present state during Friday's media briefing.
"I am concerned because he hasn't had many muscular issues and he had to leave the pitch and he was feeling something and that's obviously never a good sign," he revealed on Monday.
"Especially for a player that is very, very explosive, so we are digging in a little bit more to understand where we are in terms of injury and we will announce it when we know more. He was very disappointed after the match [at Burnley] with what he felt, but this is part of football."
'Fresh Ronaldo' unearthed
Mikel Merino of Arsenal has proven to be a reliable goalscorer
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Mikel Merino of Arsenal has proven to be a reliable goalscorer
Gabriel Martinelli has dubbed Mikel Merino 'R9' after Arsenal's Champions League triumph.
Netting twice on Tuesday, Merino shared on Instagram with the message: "Champions League nights", prompting Martinelli to drop a flattering comparison to the iconic Brazilian goalscorer.
With Gyokeres sidelined, Merino has stepped into the attacking role and produced the goods in the star player's absence. Arteta was full of praise for the Spaniard following the encounter.
"It's a joy to have him," the manager gushed. "I always say the same thing. It's his versatility on the pitch, the things that he can do, it's his mindset, it's his leadership, it's the way he is as a person.
"Today, we are missing a lot of attacking players, and we have to find different solutions. He comes in the Champions League and scores two goals."
Kimmich targets Arsenal clash
Joshua Kimmich has set his sights on Arsenal
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Joshua Kimmich has set his sights on Arsenal(Image: Stuart Franklin - FIFA, FIFA via Getty Images)
Bayern Munich's Joshua Kimmich has admitted that their upcoming clash with Arsenal will be a litmus test for the German side.
The defender's comments came after Bayern's impressive 2-1 victory over Paris Saint Germain on Tuesday night, courtesy of two goals from former Liverpool star Luis Diaz.
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The Bavarian giants are set to lock horns with the Gunners at the Emirates on November 26. Reflecting on his team's performance against PSG, Kimmich said: "We are first and have Arsenal in the next game. Then we can see once again where we stand."
He added: "But in Paris, especially the first half, we were already outstandingly good. We were incredibly resilient, had many really good chances and were physically very present.
"I must say, the first-half was one of the most intense halves of my career, of both teams, this constant man-on-man game and in the second half it felt even more intense."