Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta
Image credit: Getty Images
Arsenal face an anxious wait over the fitness of Martin Zubimendi and Viktor Gyokeres after both players were forced off during the Gunners’ 2-0 victory over Burnley on Saturday.
Gyokeres, who opened the scoring at Turf Moor, was withdrawn at half-time after picking up what manager Mikel Arteta later described as a “little niggle.” Meanwhile, Zubimendi was replaced in the closing stages of the match due to a suspected muscular problem.
The potential setbacks come at a crucial time for Arsenal, who return to action on Tuesday evening with a Champions League clash away to Slavia Prague. Arteta will be hoping both players recover swiftly ahead of that trip.
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“I think that was one of the best games he (Gyokeres) has played,” Arteta said. “I think overall his performance was exceptional. Everything – his high press, his position and his touches. His running in behind, the way he linked play, the way he got us from this situation to transition moments, a lot. I think he was in a really good moment.
Viktor Gyokeres
Viktor Gyokeres (Image credit: Getty Images)
“It’s a shame that he felt something. We had to take him off because he was feeling a little niggle. So we’ll have to wait and see. He felt something muscular so we have to wait to learn the extent of that.”
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Providing an update on Zubimendi, Arteta added: “He asked to be subbed, so we’ll have to wait and see.”
Aside from those injury concerns, it was another dominant performance from Arteta’s side, who extended their lead at the top of the Premier League to seven points. The Gunners were in complete control from start to finish, restricting Burnley to no shots on target while registering their seventh consecutive clean sheet.
Martin Zubimendi
Martin Zubimendi (Image credit: Getty Images)
“The first half was exceptional, we scored two goals and gave nothing away,” said Arteta. “That was the platform. We had to make a few changes and didn’t have that much control in the second half. The defending was exceptional again, we didn’t give anything away.”
The injuries may have tempered the celebrations slightly, but Arsenal’s impressive form shows no sign of slowing as they continue to set the pace in the title race.
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