Viktor Gyokeres opened the scoring for Arsenal in their 2-0 win over Burnley in the Premier League on Saturday, but then had to be withdrawn at half-time with an injury
Viktor Gyokeres was subbed against Burnley
Viktor Gyokeres was subbed against Burnley with an injury
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Mikel Arteta says Viktor Gyokeres will undergo an assessment to determine the severity of the muscle injury that forced him off against Burnley.
Gyokeres got on the scoresheet after 14 minutes when he headed in from Gabriel Magalhaes' flick from a corner. The Swede impressed at Turf Moor and played a crucial role in the build-up to Declan Rice's strike later in the opening period.
But after a stunning 45 minutes, Gyokeres did not re-emerge for the second period and was replaced by Mikel Merino. "In the first half was one of the best he's played with us," Arteta revealed post-match. "He felt something muscular so we have to wait to learn the extent of that."
Gyokeres' injury saw him replaced by Merino, while there was another potential blow for the Gunners, with Martin Zubimendi also withdrawn in the second half after receiving treatment.
"My only worry for Arsenal is they looked a completely different side when Viktor Gyokeres was forced off," former Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson said on Sky Sports.
"They were nowhere near the same team. Mikel Merino came on and he knitted the play together well but they never really got up the pitch and threatened in the second half.
"They are a well oiled machine with a lot of talent in that machine, and that is very unusual. They are an efficient machine but have so much talent. That is not a good cocktail for everyone else."
They were the only negatives of an otherwise perfect afternoon for Arteta's side, who are now seven points clear at the top of the league ahead of Tottenham playing Chelsea at 5.30pm.
Arsenal celebrate
Arsenal were victorious against Burnley
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"They've maybe lost once in like 18 months. We knew it was going to be tough, so we had to stick to our principles," Rice told Sky Sports. "Our quality shone through and we could have scored four or five in the first half. It's important we keep scoring goals. Two goals are perfect for us.
"If you look at the second goal as a whole, we're defending a long throw from our own half. Big Gabby wins the ball and I keep running with the ball. I was like a traditional number nine!"
Gyokeres now has seven goals in 14 games for Arsenal since joining from Sporting Lisbon in a £58million deal over the summer. The Swede has lead the line well, with Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz unavailable through injury.
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