Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed a double injury blow following the 5-1 Premier League win over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Saturday evening.
The Gunners returned to winning ways in the top-flight with a convincing derby victory. The club beat Palace for the second time in four days to keep up in the title race.
There were plenty of stand-out performers, but the club’s main concern should be the injuries.
The London giants suffered a huge blow in the opening half with Bukayo Saka being substituted in the 24th minute. He picked up an apparent hamstring concern.
Speaking after the game, Arteta revealed that Raheem Sterling also sustained an injury in training and he does not know when the attacker could return to action.
He told Arsenal.com: “And Raheem as well, we lost Raheem yesterday. We don’t know for how long as well. So, to lose two players in 24 hours is not good.
“Unfortunately, with the amount of games that we are playing every three days with this schedule, it doesn’t surprise me but the team will react to that.”
Not many noticed the absence of Sterling from the matchday squad yesterday. The focus was largely on the return of Declan Rice and Riccardo Calafiori from injuries.
We believed the decision was tactical with only nine players allowed on the bench, but the manager has now clarified that the Chelsea loanee suffered a setback too.
Sterling has not been in good form for the Gunners, but his unavailability is a big setback, considering Saka could be out for some time after what happened yesterday.
Gabriel Martinelli impressed as a right winger with his crossing ability at Selhurst Park. The Brazilian could get an extended run from the role in Saka and Sterling’s absence.
Arsenal have moved within three points of league leaders Liverpool with the derby win, but the Merseyside outfit have a big advantage with two games in hand.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com
