Mikel Arteta offers Viktor Gyokeres and Martin Zubimendi injury updates after Arsenal pulls clear

Mikel Arteta said that Viktor Gyokeres came off at half-time due of Arsenal's win over Burnley due to a muscle complaint.

The Sweden international scored Arsenal's opening goal of the game in the first half at Turf Moor, but did not reemerge for the second half, with Mikel Merino coming on in his place.

Arteta praised Gyokeres' performance at Burnley as he explained why the 27-year-old came off. “I think that was one of the best games he (Gyokeres) has played,” said Arteta. “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.

“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.”

Arteta confirmed that summer signing Martin Zubimendi also came off in the second half due to an fitness concern. Arteta said: “He [Zubimendi] asked to be subbed, so we’ll have to wait and see.”

Gyokeres opened the scoring after 14 minutes against Burnley, before Declan Rice scored the second and final goal of the game after 35 minutes.

Arsenal has now collected 25 points from a possible 30 to start the season, and the team has conceded just three goals across that period.

Arteta expressed his satisfaction with his team's performance at Turf Moor. "Very happy," he said. "It’s a really tough place to come. They've lost once in 18 months [at home], against Liverpool, with the last kick of the game from a penalty.

"I think we started the game exceptionally well. I think the first half was one of the best that we've played. Scored two goals, generated another two or three big chances and conceded nothing.

"That was a platform because in the second half, we dropped the standards, especially with the ball and with our intentions to take more risks and play forwards.

"But again, defensively we were exceptional, till the point of the free-kick, we were a bit lucky that it hit the post and kept the clean sheet. "

Story Saved

You can find this story in  My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.