ARSENAL’S injury crisis may have just got even worse after Bukayo Saka was seemingly taken off injured in the Gunners’ 1-0 North London derby win.
Saka was replaced by Ethan Nwaneri in the final 10 minutes of the match after dropping to floor and shaking his head, hinting at an injury.
Arsenal are already without Mikel Merino, Martin Odegaard, Riccardo Calafiori, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Oleksandr Zinchenko due to injury.
And now Arsenal fans are fearing the worst with an away trip to Atalanta in the Champions League and a visit to Man City in the Premier League on the horizon.
On social media, one supporter wrote: “I don’t like how much Saka is shaking his head…please don’t be serious.”
While another added: “I hope Saka off is just a precaution and nothing serious…”.
A third fumed: “The Saka injury is the last thing we needed!”
And a fourth posted: “I can’t lie that Saka injury is concerning.”
With two tricky games around the corner Mikel Arteta will be hoping his star winger will be fit to take part.
Arsenal managed to see out the final 10 minutes of the Spurs clash without the England international, grinding out a hard-earned 1-0 win at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
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GABRIEL headed in the only goal of the game as a depleted Arsenal snatched all three points in the North London Derby.
Here’s how SunSport’s Lloyd Canfield rated the Gunners players…
DAVID RAYA – 8/10
Commanded his area well, and was a safe pair of hands throughout the game. Another great showing in what has been a spectacular start for the Spanish stopper.
JURRIEN TIMBER – 7
Did well from an attacking perspective, charging down the left hand side on various occasions. Solid defensively too against Spurs’ flying right side of Johnson and Porro.
Some would argue he should’ve been sent off for a challenge on Pedro Porro in the first half, but he escaped despite squaring up to Vicario in the aftermath.
WILLIAM SALIBA – 8
A really good recovery challenge in the first half to deny Dominic Solanke, despite being booked early on.
You can always count on Saliba to put in a solid display, and he didn’t disappoint today with fantastic passing out from the back too.
GABRIEL – 9
A fantastic defensive showing throughout, reinforced with a towering header inside the box to give his side the lead from a set piece (shock).
Has formed an impeccable partnership with Saliba, personified by their heartwarming celebration together after the opener. He’s the man.
BEN WHITE – 6
Gave away the ball in a dangerous position in the first half, with Solanke failing to capitalise and had a tough first half against the quick feet of Heung Min-Son.
Was not able to demonstrate the dangerous right-hand side overlap we saw work so effectively last season, but wasn’t threatened in the second 45.
JORGINHO – 4
Struggled to replace the suspended Declan Rice for this North London derby, whom the Gunners really missed.
A tough task, but didn’t come close to matching Rice’s intensity or ability to drive the ball up the pitch which left Arsenal weak in the forward areas.
THOMAS PARTEY – 5
Struggled in transition with Jorginho alongside him, another player who felt the full force of no Rice and Odegaard.
Not fast enough with or without the ball, and will need to perk his ideas up for City next week.
GABRIEL MARTINELLI – 6
Looked like a bright spark with his running and forward movement, but was let down by his end product or lack thereof.
Worked really really hard throughout, just looks short of confidence in the last actions.
LEANDRO TROSSARD – 6
Dropping deeper into more of a midfield role than he’s used to today, it should be noted that he did a job for the team when they needed him.
Not the flying efficiency machine we have seen him be from the bench, but his versatility will be needed this season it seems.
BUKAYO SAKA – 7
Didn’t make the kind of impact on the game we are used to seeing from the brilliant Bukayo Saka, and looked less of a threat without Martin Odegaard to combine with.
Did some really good defensive work nonetheless, and delivered the perfect corner to claim the assist for Gabriel’s opener.
KAI HAVERTZ – 6
A good header in the first half was saved well by Vicario in the spurs net – actually made more clearances (3) than he managed shots on target (2) in the first 45.
Was a handful for the Spurs defence, but largely nullified by the pace and power of Mickey Van de Ven and Cristian Romero.
And the 23-year-old seemed in good spirits at full-time, smiling and walking around on the pitch – offering a glimmer of hope for concerned Gooners.
However, Mikel Arteta didn’t exactly offer a positive update on the injury in his post-match press conference, casting even more doubt on Saka’s fitness.
He said: “I don’t know [what happened]. 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.”
Captain Martin Odegaard has already been sidelined for a nasty ankle injury while on international duty with Norway.
While Mikel Merino was the victim of a heavy fall during his first training session with the Gunners, causing the Spaniard to suffer a fractured shoulder.
Fellow summer signing Riccardo Calafiori picked up a knock while away with Italy and was nowhere to be seen in today’s matchday squad.
Oleksandr Zinchenko was another omission from the team with reports that he too has picked up an injury, while Takehiro Tomiyasu remains out with a knee problem.
Arsenal, incredibly, still managed to come through as 1-0 victors in spite of all their absences .
Gabriel Magalhaes nodded home a second-half header to win the game and earn his side the North London bragging rights.
