Granit Xhaka’s wife Leonita has posted a worrying picture of the Arsenal midfielder, strapped up in protective leg gear.
During the North London derby, Granit Xhaka was forced off the pitch with an injury towards the end of the game. Based on the above picture from Leonita Xhaka’s Instagram page, with their daughter Ayana, it doesn’t look like good news.
Lucas Moura fell into Xhaka’s planted right leg, and the knee rotation suggested a possible long-term ligament injury, according to Dr. Rajbal Brar of 3CB Performance.
There were initial signs that the injury might not be so bad. Primarily that Xhaka walked off the pitch, then walked back onto it to applaud the fans and celebrate after the game.
But Mikel Arteta admitted in his post-match interview that the injury looked like it might be serious.
“I’m pretty worried because it doesn’t look very positive at the moment,” Arteta said.
Unfortunately, knee ligament injuries can be a bit deceptive, as they do often allow you to walk off. With a bone break, there’s a much more obvious way to identify the problem but regardless, Xhaka is now set for more time on the sidelines:
Granit Xhaka has suffered a ruptured inner ligament in his right knee, according to @AndreasBoeni.
Initial diagnosis suggests he'll be out for at least 6 to 8 weeks. #AFC
— Chris Wheatley (@ChrisWheatley_) September 28, 2021