Arsenal are facing an anxious wait to discover the extent of an injury suffered by Bukayo Saka in last night's 2-1 Champions League defeat by Lens, with Sunday's six-pointer against Manchester City looming.
Saka was forced off before half-time after feeling what manager Mikel Arteta described as "muscular" discomfort and was set for a scan and assessments by medical staff on Wednesday.
"I think every team in the world would miss Bukayo, but we have to see what happens in the next few days," said Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard. "Hopefully, it's not too bad and he'll be ready for Sunday.
"Last night was not the best game for us. We have to keep going, we have to learn from it and make sure we bounce back in the next game. We have to move on, that's all we can do now. It's a massive game coming up and everyone is excited. We have to look forward, make sure we're ready on Sunday."
Arsenal were level at 1-1 when Saka was replaced by Fabio Vieira, after Gabriel Jesus's incisive opener was cancelled out by Adrien Thomasson, but they faded without the England winger and deservedly went down to 20-year-old Elye Wahi's cool winner in the second half.
It was the third game running that Saka has been forced off, having been substituted with knocks in the games against Tottenham and Bournemouth, and it would be a huge blow to Arsenal's hopes of finally beating City if he is not fit for the weekend.
Arteta insisted he had no regrets about starting Saka against Ligue 1 strugglers Lens, who were hosting their first Champions League game in 21 years. "No," said the Spaniard. "It was a knock that he had the other day and he was perfectly fine. [This came from] a backheel, an action that can produce this kind of injury. Let's see what the extent of it is.
"The last few [times he came off] were more knocks. He hasn't really missed games. We gave him a break against Brentford last week and that was all.
"He was really looking forward to playing, like every player. It was a big Champions League night. I painted a picture and the type of scenario we were going to face today and they all knew about it, but this Champions League is so difficult to win away from home. We take a big lesson."
Saka's prognosis will also be of interest to England boss Gareth Southgate, who is set to name his squad tomorrow for the friendly against Australia and European Championship qualifier with Italy.
Arsenal's return to the Champions League is already stretching Arteta's young squad, but Odegaard said: "It's tough to play in Europe, but we have to look at ourselves, learn, move on."
