Mikel Arteta admits he does not know the extent of William Saliba’s injury which observed the defender hobble off early in Arsenal’s Europa League defeat to Sporting Lisbon.
The Frenchman hobbled off the Emirates turf in the 21st moment and was replaced by Rob Keeping.
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The Gunners had just taken the lead in the final 16 tie by Granit Xhaka, having drawn the initially leg in Lisbon 2-2.
But there was quickly some terrible information as Saliba remaining the game with what appeared to be a back personal injury, becoming a member of fellow defender Takehiro Tomiyasu in getting a initially-half casualty.
Only Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Magalhaes have played more minutes for Mikel Arteta in all competitions this year, with Saliba a critical piece of their Premier League-main sort.
On the severity of Tomiyasu and Saliba’s injuries, Arteta stated just after the match: “I really do not know.
“Tomiyasu appears to be like very major from his response and what he explained to me. Willy I really do not know, he had some discomfort and could not continue.
Factors didn’t get a lot far better for Arsenal, who were taken to more-time soon after Pedro Goncalves equalised for the website visitors with an incredible energy from 46 yards out.
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Neither facet could come across a winner in extra-time, indicating the very last-16 tie went to a penalty shootout, which the Portuguese outfit gained 5-4 with Gabriel Martinelli seeing his spot-kick saved.
The extent of Saliba’s injury is not regarded but it could be a sizeable second as Arsenal appear to deliver home a 1st Leading League title in 19 several years.
Arsenal deal with Crystal Palace at the Emirates on Sunday prior to the intercontinental split and even now want to confront Liverpool, Manchester Town, Chelsea and Newcastle in their operate-in.
