Arsenal’s win over Burnley came at a cost, with Viktor Gyokeres and Martin Zubimendi picking up injuries, adding to a lengthy list of absentees for Mikel Arteta.
According to Football London, Arsenal’s latest Premier League victory over Burnley, which extended their winning streak to nine games and put them seven points clear at the top, was overshadowed by two immediate injury setbacks for manager Mikel Arteta.
The positive news of William Saliba’s return was swiftly countered by the withdrawals of key players Viktor Gyökeres and Martin Zubimendi.
Striker Gyökeres, who scored in the win, was substituted at half-time after experiencing a potential issue. Manager Arteta confirmed the concern, stating: “I think overall his performance was exceptional.
Apart of the goal, and we had to take him off because he was feeling a little niggle. So we’ll have to wait and see.”
Midfielder Zubimendi, whose fitness had been a long-term target of the club, also had to be withdrawn during the match. Arteta revealed the defensive midfielder requested the change, saying: “And Zubi as well, he asked to be subbed, so we’ll have to wait and see.”
In addition to these new concerns, the attacking options remain depleted, with Gabriel Martinelli missing the Burnley clash due to an issue picked up the previous weekend. Arteta suggested that the Sunderland match will come “early for him.”
The manager is also hopeful that long-term absentees like Martin Ødegaard, Kai Havertz, and Noni Madueke will be available again shortly after the upcoming international break, as they are “evolving well.” Arsenal now faces an anxious wait for assessment results on Gyökeres and Zubimendi before their next fixtures.