In a frustrating blow, Arsenal have now discovered the extent of the injury that Viktor Gyokeres picked up in a 2-0 victory over Burnley last weekend.
It would’ve been the perfect afternoon for the Gunners if it wasn’t for the forward’s injury blow. The league leaders once again kept a clean sheet and extended an extraordinary defensive record which has seen them concede just three goals in 10 Premier League games.
With Liverpool only just getting back to winning ways after losing four-straight Premier League games and Manchester City still not at their absolute best in a new era under Pep Guardiola, those in North London have taken full advantage.
Mikel Arteta’s side sit as many as six points clear of closest challengers City and seven clear of champions Liverpool. Even this early, this looks like Arsenal’s title to lose.
That’s not to say they haven’t had to overcome their own obstacles, however. At times this season, they’ve already been without Martin Odegaard, Noni Madueke, Bukayo Saka and others. Alas, unlike in previous campaigns, they’ve had the squad depth to cope.
Their latest concern is Gyokeres, who was forced off through injury against Burnley. Sharing his early worry, Arteta told reporters: “I am concerned. Because he hasn’t had many muscular issues, and he needed to leave the pitch and he was feeling something.
“It’s never a good sign for a player who is explosive. We are digging in a little bit more to understand the extent and where we are in terms of the injury.”
Now, a fresh report has revealed just how long the Gunners will be without one of their most expensive ever players.
How long Arsenal will be without Gyokeres
As reported by The Athletic’s James McNicholas, Arsenal will be without Gyokeres until after the international break, but are hopeful that he’ll make a return in time to face Tottenham Hotspur in the north London derby on November 23.
If that is to be the case, then Arsenal will be without the Swede against Sunderland on Saturday before possibly welcoming him back to the side after the international break.
It’s then that their fixtures begin to heat up too, with Arteta’s side squaring off against Spurs, Bayern Munich and then Chelsea in a crucial seven-day period.
Although Gyokeres hasn’t made the most clinical start – scoring six goals in 16 appearances – there’s no doubt that Arsenal are a better side with his presence than without it and Arteta has already been full of praise for his forward.
“I think we’ve become much more unpredictable. He’s so physical, open, his face is for everybody. The way he presses the ball, holds the ball, that’s phenomenal.
“And then there’s the icing on the cake and the biggest thing that we’re going to debate about him is goals. He’s scored two very different ones today, and hopefully he starts to get some momentum and a good run of goals.” (Arteta on Gyokeres’ brace against Atletico Madrid)
Without him, Arsenal will have to fall back on their incredible defensive record as they look to at least maintain their lead at the top this weekend.
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