Arsenal: 6 Players Injured as Viktor Gyokeres Joins the Growing List That Has Mikel Arteta 'Concerned'

After a strong 2-0 Premier League win at Burnley, Arsenal should have been riding a wave of momentum.

Yet, for manager Mikel Arteta, the post-match glow was instantly overshadowed by a deep worry following the substitution of star summer signing Viktor Gyokeres at half-time, who had just scored his fourth league goal.

His substitution signalled the onset of a full-blown injury crisis that has swept through the club, catapulting the list of sidelined first-team players to a concerning seven.

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Mikel Arteta’s mood, described as one of sheer frustration in his Monday press conference, laid bare the scale of the emergency.

As reported by Sky Sports, the manager did not attempt to mask his anxiety over the Swedish striker’s muscular complaint.

"I am concerned. Because he hasn't had many muscular issues, and he needed to leave the pitch, and he was feeling something," Arteta stated.

"It's never a good sign for a player who is explosive. We are digging in a little bit more to understand the extent and where we are in terms of the injury."

The immediate consequence is Viktor Gyokeres’ definite absence from the crucial Champions League tie against Slavia Prague. But the broader picture for the Gunners is even more troubling.

With an international break looming, Arsenal desperately need to navigate the upcoming fixtures, including a key league match, without a significant portion of their creative and attacking core.

This sudden depletion leaves Mikel Arteta lamenting a squad that, in his own words, has "no depth anymore."

The immediate problem is the lack of a recognised, in-form No. 9. Viktor Gyokeres, who arrived from Sporting Lisbon, was just hitting his stride, providing the kind of focal point and running-in-behind that unlocks space for players like Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard.

His injury, sustained against Burnley, is a muscular issue, the exact extent of which is currently being assessed.

The loss of the team captain is always a huge blow, but losing a player with Odegaard’s creativity and leadership is catastrophic for Arsenal’s midfield rhythm.

The Norwegian has been sidelined with a knee injury, having previously dealt with a nagging shoulder issue earlier in the season. His role as the primary link between the midfield and attack is irreplaceable.

With Martin Odegaard out, Arsenal loses its on-field general and chief chance creator. The onus falls heavily on Declan Rice and others to provide forward thrust.

Kai Havertz suffered a knee injury earlier in the season that required surgery, sidelining him for several months.

While the German was a contentious signing, his availability offers crucial versatility across the forward line and midfield, giving Arteta different structural options.

Kai Havertz's prolonged absence has limited Mikel Arteta’s ability to rotate his midfield and attacking options, intensifying the current crisis.

This is the most significant long-term injury on the list. Gabriel Jesus suffered a second ACL tear in early 2025, keeping him out of action for an extended period, including the entire second half of the previous season. Despite his tireless work in rehabilitation, his full recovery remains the furthest on the horizon.

Gabriel Jesus’s injury is the fundamental reason Arsenal entered the season seeking a striker like Viktor Gyokeres. His energy, pressing ability, and knack for creating chances from seemingly nothing are sorely missed.

The Brazilian winger has been grappling with a suspected muscular injury, which has seen him miss Arsenal's last two fixtures.

Gabriel Martinelli's electric pace and directness down the left flank are essential to stretching opposition defences, and without him, the team loses a key source of goalscoring threat and unpredictability.

Signed in a move to increase attacking depth, Noni Madueke has been sidelined for over a month with a knee problem sustained earlier in the campaign.

Though not always a guaranteed starter, his availability is paramount for rotation, especially when a player like Bukayo Saka requires rest or when a different attacking profile is needed late in a game.

Noni Madueke's absence, coupled with the other attacking injuries, severely limits Mikel Arteta's options on the flanks, making the team more predictable.