A fresh fitness blow amongst Mikel Arteta’s first-team ranks at Arsenal has been confirmed late on Sunday.
Arteta, of course, guided his troops back into action earlier this evening.
Aware that a victory would see them climb a full four points clear at the Premier League’s summit, the Gunners made the trip to Old Trafford, eyeing a 6th win on the bounce.
Upon the final whistle sounding in Manchester, though, it is safe to say that all associated with the evening’s visitors were brought firmly back down to earth.
This came as a first-half opener on the part of debutant Antony was followed by a late Marcus Rashford brace, giving rise to an eventual 3-1 final scoreline.
MAN UTD ARE IN FRONT AGAIN! 🔴
Arsenal have gotten counter-punched 🥊 pic.twitter.com/LGiRT4xmmX
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) September 4, 2022
Arsenal, in turn, remain in sole possession of top spot in England’s top-flight, but now just a solitary point clear of champions Manchester City.
In addition, a fresh injury concern has been unveiled amongst Arteta’s squad.
Sunday’s trip to Old Trafford saw Arsenal already forced to make do without star midfielder Thomas Partey, with first-choice replacement Mohamed Elneny too unavailable owing to a fitness problem.
In turn, the last thing which Arteta and co. would have wanted to see was Emile Smith Rowe pulling up post-match.
As per David Ornstein of The Athletic, the Gunners’ talented young midfielder was forced into a premature exit from his side’s warn-down in Manchester, after seemingly picking up an injury.
It now remains to be seen whether Smith Rowe faces any sort of extended spell on the sidelines, ahead of likely medical scans over the coming 24 hours.
🚨 Emile Smith Rowe appeared to pull up with an injury during Arsenal warm-down. 22yo attacking midfielder looked distressed as he was accompanied back to dressing room by #AFC assistant coach Carlos Cuesta, while rest of substitutes continued their session @TheAthleticUK #MUNARS pic.twitter.com/rz9TKGr6Yt
— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) September 4, 2022
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