Arsenal's star winger Bukayo Saka faces an injury concern following the Gunners' 1-0 victory over Tottenham in the north London derby ahead of crunch fixtures in Europe and the Premier League.
Manager Mikel Arteta expressed uncertainty about Saka's condition after the player asked to be substituted in the 86th minute.
"Suddenly he went down and said he couldn't continue and we had to take him off," Arteta told Sky Sports.
The Spaniard later added in a post-match press conference: "I don't know. I made two changes with the front players and suddenly he's down.
"I don't know exactly what it is but he could not continue."
This development raises questions about Saka's availability for Arsenal's upcoming crucial fixtures.
Bukayo Saka suffered an injury in the north London derby
PA
Arsenal faced the derby with a depleted squad, missing several key players.
Captain Martin Odegaard was absent due to an ankle injury sustained on international duty, with Arteta unable to provide a timeline for his return.
"Martin, we still have to want and see. He wasn't available today," Arteta said.
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The Gunners were also without suspended midfielder Declan Rice and six other senior players due to injuries.
This forced Arteta to name five teenagers on the bench, including 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri, who replaced Saka late in the match.
Despite these setbacks, Arsenal showed remarkable resilience to secure a vital win against their local rivals.
READ MORE: Four things learned as Arsenal claim north London derby victory
Arteta praised his team's attitude in the face of selection problems, highlighting their hunger and resilience.
"The second we started to get that news, the team got hungrier and hungrier to play that game," Arteta said.
He commended the squad's "thick skin" and their ability to embrace the challenge.
"We have people that are hard and have thick skin. They love the game and we love winning. In order to love the game and win you have to do things that people call ugly," Arteta explained.
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Mikel Arteta provided an update on Bukayo Saka's condition
PA
Arsenal now face a crucial week with two significant fixtures on the horizon.
The Gunners are set to begin their Champions League campaign against Europa League winners Atalanta on Thursday.
This is followed by a high-stakes Premier League clash against title rivals Manchester City on Sunday.
The uncertainty surrounding Saka and Odegaard's fitness adds pressure to an already challenging schedule.
Bukayo Saka had to trudge off injured as Arsenal beat Tottenham
PA
Arteta acknowledged the tough week ahead, stating: "It's a big compliment to everybody at the club to behave in a certain way.
"It's a tough week coming and instead of finding any excuses we did the opposite."
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