Mikel Arteta has explained why Bukayo Saka was taken off at half time during the North London Derby.
After dominating the match in the early stages Arsenal fell behind through an Erik Lamela rabona against the run of play.
However, they were able to equalise just before the half time break through Martin Odegaard after senastional work by Kieran Tierney down the left flank.
Arteta's side were expecting to use the momentum from that strike to kick on in the second period so it was a surprise to see Nicolas Pepe emerge from the tunnel instead of the England international.
Saka was on the receiving end of a few rough challenges from Spurs' players in the early exchanges so there were some suspicions that this may have been the cause of the substitution rather than a tactical change.
And speaking after the match Arteta confirmed this to be the case.
"No, no it was an injury," he said when asked to explain the surprise change.
However, the nature of the injury appears to be different than first expected as the Arsenal boss confirmed the problem was muscular rather than a result of one of Tottenham's hefty tackles.
"We don’t know, he was feeling his hamstring," Arteta added.
If this does turn out to be the case it will be a huge blow for Arsenal for whom Saka has been a key player this season.
Since Christmas the 19-year-old has scored five times and assisted five more for the Gunners as they have risen slowly up the Premier League table.
If they injury does turn out to be a hamstring problem then it is likely that he will also miss the upcoming England camp when the league pauses for the international break in just over a week's time.
