Mikel Arteta has revealed he is "concerned" about Takehiro Tomiyasu's injury, admitting the defender might not play again this season.
Arsenal ran riot against Crystal Palace on Sunday afternoon, winning 4-1 to go temporarily eight points clear at the top of the Premier League table.
Goals from Gabriel Martinelli, Granit Xhaka and Bukayo Saka sealed the victory, and made amends for their dramatic penalty shootout loss to Sporting Lisbon in the week.
Not only were the Gunners knocked out of the competition, but the team suffered two significant injury blows, with both William Saliba and Takehiro Tomiyasu limping off in the first half.
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Mikel Arteta has now provided an update on Tomiyasu's fitness, and it's not good news for Gunners fans.
"We are concerned"
Speaking after Arsenal's comprehensive win over Crystal Palace, Arteta admitted Tomiyasu's injury wasn't "looking good", and he could be sidelined for the rest of the campaign.
When asked if he'd play again this season, the Arsenal boss replied: “We don’t know, obviously the doctor is assessing him. We’ve had one assessment, they need to have another assessment tomorrow, but it’s not looking good, that’s for sure.
“Looking at Tomi, he’s not someone who exaggerates things. He was really concerned straight away, and we are concerned.”
Meanwhile Saliba was also absent from the match-day squad, and will reportedly miss several weeks due to a back injury.
The Frenchman has been integral to Arsenal's title charge this season. Although his absence has paved the way for Rob Holding to get an opportunity in the starting lineup.
After the game, Arteta said: "He [Holding] had been waiting for that chance and when you have injuries, people have to step in."
"We had quite a lot this season unfortunately and we have to replace those players and we've done it."
Topics: Arsenal, Mikel Arteta, Football, Premier League
Joe Adams