Gunners’ boss Arteta voices “concern” over star striker and pleads with league officials to address a punishing schedule as his squad is stretched thin.
Arsenal’s charge on multiple fronts has hit a significant hurdle, with manager Mikel Arteta confirming striker Viktor Gyokeres will miss Tuesday’s Champions League clash against Slavia Prague and is facing an uncertain spell on the sidelines.
The Swedish international, a key figure in the Gunners’ attack, was forced off with a muscular problem during last weekend’s win over Burnley. He was unable to train on Monday, prompting clear concern from his manager.
“I am concerned because he hasn’t had many muscular issues and he had to leave the pitch,” Arteta told a press conference. “For a player that is very, very explosive, that’s obviously never a good sign.”
Gyokeres now joins a crowded treatment room, with the club’s attacking ranks decimated by the absences of Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli, Noni Madueke, and captain Martin Odegaard.
The timing is far from ideal. Despite the injury crisis, Arsenal travel to Prague riding a wave of momentum, seeking a tenth consecutive victory and an eighth straight clean sheet in all competitions. Midfielder Mikel Merino, who replaced Gyokeres at the weekend, is in line to start as Arteta searches for solutions.
The fixture congestion is adding to Arteta’s frustrations. Following the rescheduling of the League Cup quarter-final against Crystal Palace to December 23, the Spaniard publicly urged the Premier League to move their league fixture to avoid his team playing twice in just three days.
“To play two days later doesn’t make any sense,” Arteta stated, highlighting the strain on his depleted squad. “We have seven players out… If we continue to do that every three days… we want respecting again.”
The plea for fixture mercy underscores the pressure on a team fighting for a first league title since 2004 while also pursuing European glory, all while navigating an unprecedented injury crisis.
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