Emery offers positive update after Arsenal star picked up injury against Vitoria

Unai Emery has offered a positive update after Dani Ceballos picked up a hamstring injury during Arsenal’s 1-1 draw with Vitoria this evening.

Emery rang the changes for Arsenal’s Europa League Group E clash in Portugal but Ceballos was one of the few players to keep his place in the starting eleven following Saturday’s draw with Wolves.

The Spanish international lined-up alongside Joe Willock in midfield as Emery deployed a 3-4-3 formation against Vitoria but the system didn’t work and Ceballos struggled to take control of the game.

Unfortunately, the on-loan Real Madrid midfielder pulled up clutching the back of his leg early in the second half. Ceballos tried to carry on but was forced off and replaced by Matteo Guendouzi in the 54th minute.

Speaking to reporters after the game Emery confirmed Ceballos picked up a hamstring injury and while Arsenal will assess the full extent of the problem tomorrow, the boss says the early signs suggest it isn’t serious.

Emery told Arsenal.com:

Yes, we are going to wait for the analysis tomorrow but at the beginning I think it is a small injury.

Emery will be hoping Ceballos didn’t make the injury worse by trying to carry on as Arsenal have a huge Premier League game against Leicester City at the King Power on Saturday evening to worry about.

The Gunners struggled for long periods against Vitoria this afternoon but it looked like they could go home with a barely deserved three points when Shkodran Mustafi headed home from a Nicolas Pepe free-kick in the 81st minute.

However, Arsenal once again threw away a lead to concede a stoppage time equaliser as Bruno Duarte made it 1-1 in the 92nd minute meaning Emery’s men will have to wait to book their place in the knockout stages.