We saw good and bad news when the team sheets were released at the Emirates yesterday.
It was a relief to see Sven Botman fit to play and come through with no knee issues, but a real blow to be missing Alexander Isak from the squad.
A groin issue saw him miss out and the club have issued an update on his injury status since the 1-0 defeat, with Eddie Howe explaining exactly what happened.
Eddie Howe is unsure if Alexander Isak will be fit to face Everton on Sunday, revealing that a late scan following groin pain was the reason he didn’t make the squad at Arsenal.
The Swedish international had travelled with the squad to North London, but complained of pain and stiffness after our final session, seeing him sit out of Sunday’s game as a precautionary measure.
“It’s unknown (whether Isak will be fit for the Everton game),” admitted Howe after yesterday’s defeat at the Emirates. “I don’t know that at this moment in time.
“He only really felt pain after training. He felt fine during training, but then he had a bit of stiffness. He went for a scan this morning, purely as a precaution really, but then it became obvious that he wasn’t going to be fit to play.
“I don’t know what will happen. I think a lot will depend on how he reacts in the next few days now.”
Howe played down suggests that Isak will go under the knife once the season is complete, but admits that his ongoing groin issues ‘need looking at’.
“I think he’s had a couple of groin issues, on either side,” said Howe. “I think this is one that he had earlier in the season. I don’t think this is a surgery issue. I don’t think it’s something that needs mending.
“It probably needs looking at, as to why he’s getting these groin complaints. But it’s definitely not a surgery issue – it’s probably more of a ‘What’s he doing to strengthen that area’ issue, which we’ll of course look at and focus on.”