Mikel Arteta has provided the latest on the injuries to Takehiro Tomiyasu, Bukayo Saka and Ben White after Arsenal's 2-1 win over West Ham at the London Stadium. The Gunners were able to secure a crucial victory in race for the top four thanks to headers from Rob Holding and Gabriel, but the game was marred by fitness concerns.
Ahead of the match it was revealed that Ben White was missing from the game due to a tight hamstring. Takehiro Tomiyasu meanwhile was back in the starting XI for the first time since January but was forced to limp off, while Bukayo Saka also was taken off late in the game.
Speaking after the game Arteta revealed mixed updates on all three's chances of being back in time for next week's crucial clash with Leeds United as the Gunners seek to qualify for the Champions League for the first time in half a decade.
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"Ben got injured against Manchester United," said the Spaniard of his English centre back. "He felt a muscular problem and we checked him. We're going to have to assess him in the next few days." This is a worry given that Arsenal have a potentially season-deciding North London Derby to come in just 10 days' time, a game they'll surely want White fit for.
There was a more positive update on Saka however. "Bukayo was fine," Arteta said. "It was really fatigue and he's been through a little injury." The 20-year-old has been heavily involved in all of the Gunners recent three victories, scoring in the wins over Manchester United and Chelsea and grabbing an assist today. The fact that he should be fit in time for the next few games is certainly a positive.
Meanwhile, there was also a positive update on Tomiyasu. The Japan international was making his first start since January's 2-0 defeat to Liverpool in the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg after picking up a spate of calf injuries. He was forced to come off midway through the second half and be replaced by Cedric, and it looked pretty worrying, but Arteta revealed that he's not overly worried.
"Tomiyasu was just having been out for so long, he could not continue," the Spaniard said. "No (I'm not concerned)" he went on to add.
