Bukayo Saka is a fresh injury concern for Arsenal following the North London Derby victory over Tottenham on Sunday.
The Gunners were already without Martin Odegaard, Mikel Merino and Riccardo Calafiori due to injury, while Declan Rice was missing through suspension.
Kieran Tierney and Takehiro Tomiyasu were also confirmed to be missing from the squad due to fitness concerns, only adding to the problems for Mikel Arteta.
The Arsenal boss showed his flexibility though, changing his team around to ensure they held firm against their rivals.
In a scrappy game, it was Gabriel Magalhaes who was the difference maker, scoring from a corner whipped in by Saka.
However, it was the assist provider who later became an injury worry, having to come off before the end of the game.
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Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard injury latest
After the game, Arteta gave a fresh update on the injury scenario surrounding Saka and his absent Arsenal captain Odegaard – who missed out through an ankle injury.
“Saka went down, he said he could not continue,” the manager said to Sky Sports, not giving too much away on the problem for the winger.
Speaking to the press as a whole after, he added: “I don’t know. I made two changes with the front players and suddenly he’s down. I don’t know exactly what it is but he could not continue.”
When asked if Odegaard would be returning to action soon, he simply replied: “Martin we still have to wait and see. He wasn’t available today.”
It suggests that more checks will need to be made during the week to figure out which stars will be available to face off against Atalanta in the Champions League on Thursday night.
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Arsenal should rest Bukayo Saka in the Champions League
Regardless of the result of Saka’s injury concerns, Arteta must look at resting the winger for the tie against Atalanta in the Champions League.
The Arsenal academy star has played plenty of football in recent weeks, for both club and country and will have more hard work to do in the weeks ahead.
With the next clash being against Manchester City in the Premier League, having that time to rest will be vital.
As there are eight Champions League games over the previous six, there is more time to make up points if required.
Add to that the availability of Raheem Sterling and there is an opportunity to mix the team around in Italy on Thursday night.
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