Mikel Arteta has given updates on Granit Xhaka and Calum Chambers and the latter looks like he could be set for a spell on the sidelines.
As Calum Chambers lay on the ground, thumping it after landing awkwardly, we knew it wasn’t good.
The replay confirmed his knee had twisted in a way knees are not designed to twist and, while he walked from the pitch instead of being carried on a stretcher, we all knew in our guts it wasn’t going to be good news.
Speaking after the game, Arteta was asked about Chambers and his reply is far from uplifiting, albeit still very vague. “The doctors are assessing him,” Arteta said. “The first feeling he got, it wasn’t very positive.”
Granit Xhaka missed the match with illness and many speculated that it was more to do with his desire to move to Hertha Berlin who have submitted an offer in writing for the player and agreed personal terms according to Xhaka’s agent.
Arteta has apparently blocked the move.
Arteta, however, confirmed Xhaka had indeed been ill. “He played at Bournemouth, he played really well, he was very committed, he played a really good game,” Arteta explained.
“After the game he started to feel ill. He had a temperature and he wasn’t feeling good. The last two days he’s been in bed. That’s why he’s not been selected.”