Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is ‘pretty worried’ about Granit Xhaka

Mikel Arteta is ‘pretty worried’ about Granit Xhaka as he reveals the injury which forced him off in Arsenal’s thrashing of Tottenham ‘does NOT look very positive’

  • Mikel Arteta is ‘worried’ about Granit Xhaka after he was injured on Sunday
  • He was caught by Lucas Moura in the second half of Arsenal’s win over Spurs 
  • Xhaka was forced off with a knee injury despite receiving on-pitch treatment
  • Arteta has admitted he is not feeling ‘positive’ about the state Xhaka’s injury 


Mikel Arteta is ‘pretty worried’ about Granit Xhaka after he limped off the pitch during Arsenal’s 3-1 win over Tottenham on Sunday. 

The Switzerland international was forced off with a knee injury despite receiving on-pitch treatment from Arsenal’s medical team during the North London derby.   

Arteta has since admitted he is not feeling ‘positive’ about the state Xhaka’s injury and that worries the midfielder could be out of action for a prolonged period of time. 

Mikel Arteta is ‘worried’ about Granit Xhaka after he was injured during their clash with Spurs

He (right) was caught by Lucas Moura (left) in the second half of Arsenal's 3-1 derby win

He (right) was caught by Lucas Moura (left) in the second half of Arsenal’s 3-1 derby win 

The 28-year-old sustained the injury after being caught on the knee by Lucas Moura in the build-up to Son Heung-min’s second half goal.

The severity of the injury was heightened as Xhaka was facing in the opposite direct when the impact took place. He immediately dropped to the ground and later received medical treatment. 

Xhaka was subsequently replaced by Albert Sambi Lokonga – leaving the Gunners boss sweating over his fitness.

Speaking about the severity of the Switzerland international’s injury in his post-match conference, Arteta said: ‘Unfortunately he got an injury and I’m pretty worried because it doesn’t look very positive at the moment.’

Xhaka was forced off with a knee injury despite receiving on-pitch treatment (above)

Xhaka was forced off with a knee injury despite receiving on-pitch treatment (above) 

The Arsenal manager has admitted he is not feeling 'positive' about the state Xhaka's injury

The Arsenal manager has admitted he is not feeling ‘positive’ about the state Xhaka’s injury

Xhaka’s injury will come as a blow to the Arsenal squad as they rely heavily on his presence in midfield. 

Xhaka has become instrumental to Arsenal’s success ever since he arrived from Borussia Monchengladbach in 2016. 

The 28-year-old is one of the only players to have featured in both of their 2017 and 2020 FA Cup final victories – making him pivotal to the structure. 

Nevertheless, Arsenal did manage to hold onto their 3-1 win over Tottenham after Xhaka was forced off injured on Sunday. 

It was Emile Smith Rowe, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Bukayo Saka’s goals that saw Arteta’s men emerge victorious in the North London derby.   

It was Emile Smith Rowe (above), Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Bukayo Saka's goals that saw Arteta's men emerge victorious in the North London derby

It was Emile Smith Rowe (above), Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Bukayo Saka’s goals that saw Arteta’s men emerge victorious in the North London derby 

Arsenal have now won three games on the bounce following their horrible start to the season

Arsenal have now won three games on the bounce following their horrible start to the season

Speaking after the game, the Gunners boss admitted he was thrilled by the result. He said: ‘That’s the beauty of this game and the danger of this game as well.

‘It was one of the nicest feelings that I had certainly in this stadium. It was a big occasion for us, a big game, to win it the way we did and to feel that connection. It made it really special.’ 

Arsenal now sit in 10th in the Premier League table after three wins on the bounce. Their recent run of form marks a complete turnaround from their opening three games – having picked up zero points and scored none in the process.

Arteta’s men will take-on Brighton next Saturday before heading off to the international break. 

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