Arsenal suffer fresh injury blow as Mikel Arteta reveals "some issues" after Slavia Prague win

Arsenal person suffered a imaginable wounded setback aft Ezri Konsa was forced disconnected during their 2-1 triumph implicit Slavia Prague successful the Champions League connected Wednesday evening.

Mikel Arteta confirmed the England defender was substituted due to the fact that of a fittingness issue, having appeared to conflict with his genu during the match.

However, the Gunners person received a timely boost with William Saliba present acceptable and disposable again aft recovering from a semipermanent backmost injury.

What did Mikel Arteta accidental astir Ezri Konsa's injury?

Konsa started alongside Gabriel successful the bosom of Arsenal's defence but was withdrawn soon aft the hr people pursuing a hard 2nd half.

The centre-back was spotted feeling his genu during the opening play earlier continuing aft the interval, though helium was yet replaced by Arteta.

The Arsenal manager confirmed the substitution was fitness-related alternatively than tactical, explaining that the defender had been playing a sizeable magnitude of shot recently.

"Obviously he's playing a lot," Arteta said aft the match, via the Evening Standard. "He's played truthful galore games successful the past fewer weeks. He had immoderate issues, and we decided to instrumentality him off."

Konsa's fittingness volition present beryllium monitored, peculiarly with Arsenal continuing to juggle their home and European commitments.

William Saliba boost has travel astatine the cleanable clip for Arsenal

There was amended quality regarding William Saliba, however, with the Frenchman returning to the matchday squad aft missing the commencement of the play with a backmost injury.

Before the match, Arteta confirmed that the 25-year-old had completed 45 minutes successful a behind-closed-doors affable without immoderate setbacks, and claimed that "he feels acceptable to go" and "feels truly comfortable."

Saliba's instrumentality could hardly person travel astatine a amended clip for the Gunners, peculiarly with Konsa present carrying a imaginable wounded concern.

The summertime signing has hugely impressed alongside Gabriel, but having different established centre-back disposable means Arteta is not abruptly abbreviated of options.

There would beryllium immoderate hazard successful throwing Saliba consecutive backmost into the starting XI against Hull City connected Saturday, particularly aft specified a lengthy absence.

However, the upcoming fixture could connection a comparatively favourable accidental to gradually reintegrate the Frenchman, provided Arteta is satisfied with his fitness.

Konsa's concern volition request assessing earlier immoderate decisions are made, but Saliba's availability gives Arsenal immoderate invited antiaircraft security astatine an important signifier of the campaign.