Bukayo Saka went off injured in the 86th minute of the North London derby

Arsenal’s injury crisis worsened as Bukayo Saka limped out of the North London Derby.

The England international was replaced in the 86th minute of the tight match, with Michael Arteta’s side winning 1-0. He was replaced by Ethan Nwaneri, who is 17 years old.

The shift did not appear to be deliberate, but rather forced, as the 23-year-old had collapsed moments before with a suspected injury.

In the 84th minute, the 23-year-old slumped to the ground, gripping both legs and shaking his head. He received treatment and remained on the pitch.

However, moments later, he was substituted out of the game, limping to the bench to watch his team finish the game against their bitter enemies.

Bukayo Saka went off injured in the 86th minute of the North London derby

 

Bukayo Saka went off injured in the 86th minute of the North London derby

The 23-year-old limped off after going to the floor and clutching both of his legs

 

The 23-year-old limped off after going to the floor and clutching both of his legs

This is a major injury blow for Mikel Arteta ' side who are already without key players due to injury

 

This is a big injury setback for Mikel Arteta’s side, which is already missing important players due to injuries.

Saka’s injury is a big setback for Arsenal, who are also missing Martin Odegaard, Mikel Merino, Riccardo Calafiori, and Oleksandr Zinchenko due to injuries.

Mikel Areta and Arsenal fans will be expecting the worst as they prepare to face Atalanta away in the Champions League on Thursday.

Before they go to the Etihad Stadium on Sunday to face title rivals Manchester City in the Premier League next week.

Saka has been an important component of Mikel Arteta’s title-contending club, and he demonstrated today why he is one of the first names in the Spaniard’s starting eleven, as he assisted Gabriel’s second-half winner, which was enough to give the Gunners all three points in the match.

Arsenal's injury woes first began earlier this summer when new signing Mikel Merino suffered a fractured shoulder in his first training

 

Arsenal’s injury woes first began earlier this summer when new signing Mikel Merino suffered a fractured shoulder in his first training

Arsenal are already without Martin Odegaard, Mikel Merino, Riccardo Calafiori and Oleksandr Zinchenko due to injury

Arsenal is already without Martin Odegaard, Mikel Merino, Riccardo Calafiori, and Oleksandr Zinchenko due to injuries.

Arsenal’s injury difficulties began this summer when new player Mikel Merino injured his shoulder during his first training session after joining from Real Sociedad for £31.6 million.

The Spanish international will be sidelined for approximately two months.

During the international break, Martin Odegaard and Riccardo Calafiori sustained injuries while playing for Norway and Italy, respectively, adding to their injury list.

Odegaard is expected to miss at least three weeks of activity after injuring his ankle while on international duty for Norway.

The Arsenal captain limped off in the second half of his country’s 2-1 Nations League triumph over Austria on Monday, raising concerns among Gunners supporters.

Odegaard appeared to be in tears as he staggered off the ground, and he was subsequently seen on crutches as he went onto a private jet, with the cause cited as a ‘severe ankle injury’.

Both Odegaard and Calafiori picked up injuries during the international break

 

Both Odegaard and Calafiori picked up injuries during the international break

As for Calafiroi, he suffered a freak injury in Italy’s victory over France in their Nations League clash.

The Italian defender suffered a freak blow to his ankle after Ousmane Dembele landed on him, having been tackled himself.

Italy’s Alessandro Bastoni won the ball from the winger but caught him on the follow-through with Dembele’s flailing leg subsequently connecting with Calafiori.