Ainsley Maitland-Niles was forced off the pitch before kick-off in Arsenal's International Champions Cup tie against Real Madrid, with Carl Jenkinson stepping into the fray against the Spanish giants.
The utility player, who has filled in at right-back on a regular basis since Hector Bellerin injured his knee in January, suffered what is understood to be a tight calf. during the warm-up ahead of kick-off.
It remains to be seen whether Maitland-Niles' injury sidelines him for any more of pre-season or indeed the start of the campaign against Newcastle United on August 11. With Bellerin expected to be out until the first international break the Gunners can ill afford to be without the young utility player, particularly after Stephan Lichtsteiner was allowed to leave on a free.
Maitland-Niles' inclusion in the side seemed a clear indication that he was in Unai Emery's plans for the opening game of the season, with the head coach having said before the game that he would use the clash with the Spanish giants to test out his side for the season opener.
Arsenal did not seem to be struggling too much without Maitland-Niles early in the game at FedEx Field, where Real Madrid centre-back Nacho picked up two yellow cards inside the first eight minutes. The latter of those saw him concede a penalty for handball on the line, which Alexandre Lacazette scored after the ball deflected off both posts.
A man to the good Arsenal would eventually have a second goal when Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang darted in behind and rounded goalkeeper Keylor Navas.
