Viktor Gyokeres misses Arsenal training as suspended star’s absence explained

Arsenal face Slavia Prague at the Fortuna Arena in the Champions League on Tuesday night – and Mikel Arteta’s side have been dealt a fitness blow

Arsenal look set to be without Viktor Gyokeres for Tuesday’s game against Slavia Prague. The forward was forced off at half-time during Saturday’s 2-0 victory over Burnley at Turf Moor, and it now looks like he is set to miss his side’s game at Fortuna Arena.

That is because he was a notable absentee from Arsenal training on Monday afternoon as Mikel Arteta’s side continued their preparations for the Champions League game. The Sweden international had broken his Premier League duck when he gave his side the lead against the Clarets, but after picking up a niggle, he was replaced at the break by Mikel Merino.

“I think that was one of the best games he (Gyokeres) has played,” Arteta said after Saturday’s game. “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.”

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But while Gyokeres was absent, Martin Zubimendi was involved in the session, despite the fact that he asked to be replaced during the win over Scott Parker’s side. But Arteta will be without the midfielder for tomorrow’s game, as he is suspended after picking up three yellow cards in the league phase.

But Arsenal are clearly keen to keep up Zubimendi’s conditioning and fitness, with one eye on the game against Sunderland this Saturday. Tottenham then await the Gunners in their first game back after the international break.

While it appears that Gabriel Martinelli, Martin Odegaard, Kai Havertz, Noni Madueke and Gabriel Jesus all remain sidelined, as they were not involved in the session. The win at Turf Moor moved the Gunners six points clear at the top of the table.

And speaking after the game, Arteta said: “Very happy. It’s a really tough place to come. They’ve lost once [here] in 18 months, 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 until the point of the free-kick. We were a bit lucky that it hit the post and we kept the clean sheet.”

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