Arsenal will be without striker Viktor Gyokeres for their Champions League trip to Slavia Prague on Tuesday after the Swedish forward picked up a muscle injury during the weekend’s 2-0 Premier League win over Burnley.
Manager Mikel Arteta revealed that Gyokeres was forced off in the second half of that match and has since missed training as the club’s medical team assesses the extent of the problem.
“I’m concerned because he hasn’t really had many muscle issues before,” Arteta told reporters during his pre-match press briefing. “He felt something and had to come off that’s never a good sign, especially for a player who relies so much on explosiveness. We’re still running tests to find out how serious it is.”
The Arsenal boss confirmed that the forward will not feature against Slavia Prague, adding, “He’s definitely out for this one. We’ll have more clarity after the scans and medical checks over the next few days.”
Gyokeres’ setback adds to Arsenal’s growing injury list, with Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli, Noni Madueke, and captain Martin Odegaard all sidelined. Despite the mounting absences, the Premier League leaders remain in strong form, having won nine consecutive matches in all competitions and kept seven straight clean sheets.
Arteta is expected to turn to Mikel Merino, who replaced Gyokeres at Turf Moor, as a likely starter for the Champions League clash in Prague.
Arsenal currently sit six points clear of second-placed Manchester City and seven ahead of Liverpool as they continue their pursuit of a first Premier League title since 2004.
