Mikel Arteta suggests Arsenal player suffered 'serious injury' in Man City draw

  • Mikel Arteta confirms injury scare after Arsenal's draw at Man City
  • David Raya picked up knee problem while Riccardo Calafiori and Jurrien Timber had to be substituted
  • Gunners return to action against Bolton in Carabao Cup on Wednesday
Arteta could have another injury headache
Arteta could have another injury headache / Carl Recine/GettyImages
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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has claimed at least one of his players came away from Sunday's 2-2 draw at Manchester City with a 'serious injury'.

The Gunners were within seconds of securing a statement 2-1 win at the Etihad Stadium having played the entire second half with ten men, only to concede a scrappy 98th-minute goal to John Stones.

Arsenal's understandably defensive performance was criticised by City players, who bemoaned of the visitors' 'dark arts' and time-wasting tactics used to try and run the clock down.

But at a press conference ahead of Wednesday's Carabao Cup tie at home to Bolton Wanderers, Arteta was in a disgruntled mood when discussing the damage of Sunday's draw.

When asked for team news, Arteta replied: "I always prefer the facts to words or supposing things. Let's see who is available tomorrow and then we can talk about dark arts or these things or if it's a reality.

"Unfortunately, yes there will be a few players not available. Tomorrow you will find out. As soon as I give the lineup."


David Raya
Raya was among the Arsenal players who needed treatment / Michael Regan/GettyImages

Arteta was then asked if any of these injuries were serious, to which he responded: "We have to wait on one of them."

It has been reported that goalkeeper David Raya sustained a minor knee injury during the second half of the City stalemate. Due to backup Neto being cup tied, 16-year-old Jack Porter is in line to make his debut.

"Let's see how they are today and we will try to make a call on that, if we believe that is a possibility," Arteta said when asked about Raya's injury and Porter coming into the starting lineup.

In addition to Raya, Arsenal had to substitute defenders Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori due to discomfort. Bukayo Saka was taken off at half time but this is believed to have been a tactical decision following Trossard's dismissal.


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