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Arteta offers update after Arsenal suffer fresh injury blow against Palace

By on January 11, 2020

Mikel Arteta has confirmed Lucas Torreira suffered a muscle injury during Arsenal’s frustrating 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace this afternoon.

Torreira was recalled at Selhurst Park to start alongside Granit Xhaka in the middle of the park after being rested for Arsenal’s FA Cup third round victory over Leeds United last Monday night.

The Uruguayan international enjoyed an excellent opening forty-five minutes as a dominant Arsenal led at the break thanks to a fine strike by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in the 12th minute.

However, Torreira was forced off at half-time and had to be replaced by Matteo Guendouzi after the 23-year-old picked up a knock during a collision with team-mate Nicolas Pepe in the first half.

Torreira’s absence was sorely felt as Palace equalised shortly after the restart thanks to a hugely fortunate Andre Ayew goal and Arsenal never really got hold of the game without the South American in the side – especially after Aubameyang was sent off in the 67th minute.

Speaking after the game, Arteta confirmed that Torreira suffered a muscle injury and will need to be assessed by club doctors on Sunday before the full extent of the issue is known.

Arteta told Arsenal.com:

“He’s given us a lot but I had to get him off because he wasn’t feeling good.

“It’s a muscle injury. We’ll have to assess it with the doctors tomorrow. We will know more the day after.”

Let’s pray it’s nothing serious as Torreria has become a valuable member of the starting eleven and he seems to bring the best out of Xhaka so it would be a big blow if he was ruled out for any significant period of time.

Hopefully it was just a dead leg or a minor muscle issue and Torreira is available to face Sheffield United at the Emirates next weekend and it’s also vital he’s fit for the trip to Chelsea the following Tuesday.

One man who won’t be involved in either game is Aubameyang as he’s facing a three-match ban following his sending off against Palace. Our top scorer will now miss league games with Sheffield United and Chelsea as well as the FA Cup trip to Bournemouth.