Riccardo Calafiori suffered a “very awkward” injury in training ahead of Arsenal’s win over Brighton.
The Italian was named in the starting lineup to face the Seagulls.
However, he pulled out of the warm-up and went straight down the tunnel, as Myles Lewis-Skelly came into the side to replace him.
Mikel Arteta revealed Calafiori picked up an issue the day before the game and was unable to shake it off.
“It's something that he felt yesterday, something very awkward that happened, and today in the warm-up he wasn’t comfortable,” Arteta said.
Arsenal survived some nervy late moments against Brighton, holding on for a 2-1 win to move back to the top of the Premier League table.
Martin Odegaard and an own goal from Georginio Rutter had put Arsenal in control, before Diego Gomez gave Brighton hope.
Arsenal held on but there were more injury problems, with Calafiori’s withdrawal coming after Jurrien Timber missed out on the squad completely.
That was due to an issue he picked up late in the win over Crystal Palace.
Asked if the injury problems were uniting the squad, Arteta said: “Yes, because as well there are injuries with Jurrien, he landed awkwardly and there's something with Richy.
“It was something as well, very, very strange and yeah, but you speak to Declan and tell him he needs to play there as a right winger, and he said, ‘Okay, I'm up for a challenge, I'm going to do my best.’
“And the attitude is great to witness.”
