Viktor Gokeres will miss Arsenal’s Champions League clash with Slavia Prague tonight in the Czech Republic. The former Sporting striker suffered a muscular injury shortly after scoring Arsenal’s opening goal in Saturday’s 2-0 win over Burnley. He was sent off at half-time.
“No, he’s not available,” Mikel Arteta admitted in his pre-match press conference. “He hasn’t trained today so we’ll have to do further tests and scans to understand the extent of the injury. We’re concerned because he doesn’t really have a muscle problem and he had to leave the pitch (on Saturday).”The Gunners are also dealing with other fitness concerns, with Martin Zvimendi filling in at Burnley, but he was set to miss the game against Prague due to suspension after receiving two yellow cards.
“He asked to come on as a substitute, so we’ll have to wait and see,” Arteta said of the midfielder after the match.
Gabriel Martinelli remains sidelined due to issues he had before the trip to Burnley. No timetable for his return has been given, with Arteta confirming further tests are needed to assess the severity of the injury.
As for captain Martin Odegaard, the European game was played too soon as he continues to recover from a knee injury.
However, the Gunners manager is optimistic that he, Noni Madueke and Kai Havertz, who have been suffering from knee problems, will be back in time for the international break.
If all goes to plan, the trio could return against Sunderland on Saturday (November 8). Gabriel Jesus, who has been sidelined for a long time due to a serious injury tore his anterior cruciate ligament in early January, has not yet determined when he will return.
“They (the long-term players) are progressing very well,” Arteta previously said, adding: “They’re starting certain activities. We’re very happy to get them out as soon as possible. But at the moment none of them are in contention for the next week or so.”
