Ljungberg offers update on key duo after Arsenal suffer major double injury blow

Freddie Ljungberg has offered an update on Hector Bellerin and Kieran Tierney after they both picked up injuries at West Ham on Monday night.

Bellerin was initially named in the starting eleven at the London Stadium with the Spaniard picked to start at right-back, however, Freddie was forced into a last minute change after the defender picked up a knock during the pre-match warm up.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles was drafted into the side to replace Bellerin and make his first Premier League appearance since September with Sead Kolasinac called-up to take his place on the bench.

It turned out to be a blessing in disguise as Kolasinac was introduced midway through the first half after Tierney was forced off with a nasty looking shoulder injury.

The Scottish international fell awkwardly in the Arsenal penalty box and appeared to mouth ‘it’s gone’ to the physio before being replaced by Kolasinac in the 29th minute.

Ljungberg confirmed after the game that Tierney was sent to hospital to have his shoulder assessed after last night’s game while he said Bellerin had to pull out due to a hamstring issue.

Ljungberg told Arsenal.com:

“Tierney, I think it’s something with his shoulder but I don’t know exactly what it is. But obviously we had to take him off so I think he’s going to maybe go to hospital and check what it is.

“Hector had a bit of feeling, I think, in his hamstring in the warm up. Then we took the decision. I said I’m not going to force anyone to play if you don’t feel 100 per cent.

“So we took him off and had a straight swap on that with Ainsley, and Ainsley had been out in the cold for a little bit and comes on and does really well, so I’m really proud of him and happy for him.”

It sounds like Bellerin’s withdrawal was precautionary so hopefully he’ll be available for next weekend’s clash with Manchester City but let’s pray for positive news on Tierney as a dislocated shoulder would rule him out for a number of weeks.

Arsenal put the injury problems behind them to come from behind to beat West Ham 3-1 thanks to goals from Gabriel Martinelli, Nicolas Pepe and Pierre-Emerick  Aubameyang to secure our first win in 10 games.