Arteta hails Gyokeres’ performance but reveals double injury concern after Arsenal beat Burnley | OneFootball

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has confirmed that both Viktor Gyokeres and Martin Zubimendi were forced off with muscle injuries against Burnley.

Gyokeres scored the opening goal of the match, as Arsenal extended their lead at the top of the Premier League to seven points. However, the Swedish striker was withdrawn from the action at half-time.

“Yeah, before that I think he was one of the best games that he’s played,” Arteta said about Gyokeres. “I think overall his performance was exceptional, a part of the goal.

“We had to take him out because he was feeling a little niggle, muscular.

“So we’ll have to wait and see.”

Asked what it was that he liked about Gyokeres’ performance, the Spaniard simply answered: “Everything. His high press, his position, his touches, his threading 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.”

Fellow summer signing Zubimendi was also a casualty at Turf Moor. Arteta confirmed: “Zubimendi as well, he asked to be subbed, so we’ll have to wait and see.

“Muscular issue yes. I don’t know, but muscular, yeah.”

Aside from the injuries, it was an otherwise perfect afternoon for Arsenal who overcame Burnley with ease.

Arteta reflected: “Well, obviously very happy. A really tough place to come.

“They lost once in 18 months against Liverpool in the last kick of the game by a penalty. So that’s the difficulty of it.

“I think we started the game exceptionally well.

“I think the first half is 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, to play more forwards.

“But again, defensively we were exceptional.

“I mean, if we play with that desire, with that focus, with that discipline, we’ll win a lot of games.”