Viktor Gyokeres misses Arsenal training as Mikel Arteta calls up suspended player

Viktor Gyokeres was a notable absentee from Arsenal training on Monday afternoon as Mikel Arteta's side continued their preparations for the game against SK Slavia Prague. Gyokeres was forced off at half-time during Saturday’s 2-0 victory over Burnley at Turf Moor.

The forward, though, did break his Premier League goal drought when he broke the deadlock in the 14th minute. Speaking after the game, Arteta revealed that the 27-year-old had picked up a niggle.

He said: “I think that was one of the best games he (Gyokeres) has played. I think overall his performance was exceptional.

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“Everything - his high press, his position and his touches. His running in behind, the way he linked play, the way he got us from this situation to transition moments, a lot. I think he was in a really good moment.

“It’s a shame that he felt something. We had to take him off because he was feeling a little niggle. So we’ll have to wait and see.

“He felt something muscular, so we have to wait to learn the extent of that.”

But while Gyokeres missed out, Martin Zubimendi was involved in the session, despite the fact that he was also replaced during the win over the Clarets. However, Arteta will be without the midfielder for tomorrow’s game, as he is suspended after picking up three yellow cards in the league phase.

He still trained, despite the suspension, as Arsenal want to keep up Zubimendi's conditioning and fitness. One eye will be on the Sunderland clash this Saturday where he is expected to feature prior to the international break, and then Tottenham await Arsenal the other side of that.

While it appears that Gabriel Martinelli, Martin Odegaard, Kai Havertz, Noni Madueke and Gabriel Jesus all remain sidelined, as they were not involved in the session. The win at Turf Moor moved the Gunnerssix points clear at the top of the table.

And speaking after the game, Arteta said: "Very happy. It’s a really tough place to come. They've lost once [here] in 18 months, against Liverpool, with the last kick of the game from a penalty.

"I think we started the game exceptionally well. I think the first half was one of the best that we've played. Scored two goals, generated another two or three big chances and conceded nothing.

"That was a platform because in the second half, we dropped the standards, especially with the ball and with our intentions to take more risks and play forwards.

"But again, defensively, we were exceptional until the point of the free-kick. We were a bit lucky that it hit the post and we kept the clean sheet."