‘Looks pretty serious’ – Arsenal star leaves Emirates on crutches after the match

Mikel Arteta believes Takehiro Tomiyasu’s injury looks ‘pretty serious’ after the Arsenal star left the Emirates on crutches with William Saliba another casualty from their Europa League exit.

The Gunners were eliminated from the competition by Sporting Lisbon at the last 16 stage, losing on penalties after a 3-3 aggregate draw with Gabriel Martinelli missing the crucial spot kick from 12 yards.

Arteta was forced into two early changes on the night with Tomiyasu the first to go after eight minutes, slipping and overstretching awkwardly with Ben White brought into replace him.

Saliba followed 12 minutes later with what appeared to be a back problem.

Giving an update on the injured duo in his post-match press conference, Arteta said: ‘I don’t know. Tomiyasu looks pretty serious from his reaction straight away and what he said to me, but obviously it’s very early.

‘Willy [Saliba], I don’t know, he had some discomfort and could not continue so we had to take him out.’

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag this week suggested Arsenal have been fortunate on the injury front this season but knocks for Tomiyasu and Saliba are the latest issues Arteta has had to contend with, with Eddie Nketiah also sidelined with an ankle problem.

‘We’ve been carrying injuries throughout the season,’ Arteta said.

‘We had Emile out for four months, Jesus for four months, Thomas for a month and a half, Alex for two and half months, Eddie for a month and a half.

‘We had quite a lot of injuries already, but we dealt with it. The disappointment is not going to go away it’s there now.