Viktor Gyokeres suffers injury as Arsenal forced to take drastic action over forward
Viktor Gyokeres was substituted at half-time during Arsenal's Premier League clash with Burnley on Saturday afternoon, with the Swedish striker reportedly picking up an injury
Viktor Gyokeres was pulled off at halftime during Arsenal's match against Burnley - raising concerns he might have picked up an injury.
The Swedish forward had opened the scoring in the first half and delivered what many considered his best display in a Gunners uniform so far, also setting up Declan Rice's second goal with an excellent pass. However, he failed to return after the break, with Mikel Merino taking his place.
This came after he took an accidental elbow to the face from Clarets midfielder Lesley Ugochukwu during an aerial challenge just before halftime.
Arsenal supporters were left worrying about the worst-case scenario, with one commenting: "Have to say, Gyokeres was having his best game in an Arsenal shirt. The runs he makes for the team are fantastic and brings so much more than his goal tally states."
Another supporter added: "A shame for Gyokeres to go off. That was his best half of football in an Arsenal shirt."
A third wrote: "That Gyokeres injury means we now have 6 attackers out - Havertz, Jesus, Madueke, Odegaard, Martinelli and Gyokeres. No matter how much depth you have you can't absorb that. We need bodies back ASAP".
Nevertheless, other supporters suggested it was "only a minor nose injury" and a cautious decision by boss Mikel Arteta. One fan commented: "Hopefully, that's just precautionary for Gyokeres. Took a whack in the face first half didn't he? God knows we can't take another attacking injury. Big shame after he was fantastic in the first half and had just broken his league goal drought."
Another Gunners supporter said: "It's a shame because he was playing so well, but no point taking any risks when he's our only striker at the moment."
Gyokeres had broken the deadlock after 14 minutes when he headed home from close range as Arsenal once again took advantage from a corner kick.
Gabriel Magalhaes claimed the initial ball before Gyokeres finished off the move to find the back of the net.
The Gunners then capitalized on a Burnley set piece to double their advantage.
Gyokeres was once more at the heart of the action as he spearheaded the visitors' counter-attack.
The Swede delivered a precise pass to Leandro Trossard, who whipped in a cross for Declan Rice to nod home on 35 minutes.
His strike against Burnley marked his fourth Premier League goal of the campaign, breaking a five-game scoring drought in the league.
Up next for Arsenal is an away fixture against Slavia Praha in the Champions League on Tuesday, before the title contenders make the trip to Sunderland next weekend.