Arsene Wenger has ruled Henrikh Mkhitaryan out of Arsenal’s meeting with Southampton on Sunday, after the playmaker picked up an injury on Thursday night.
Mkhitaryan started in the Gunners’ 4-1 mauling of CSKA Moscow in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final clash but was replaced in the second-half after injuring his knee.
Wenger revealed in Thursday’s press conference that the playmaker was set to undergo a scan on Friday morning and said he would not be fit for the visit of Southampton
Wenger explained:
“He has a knee problem, we don’t know how bad it is, we have to assess it tomorrow morning. He will certainly be out for Sunday.”
Mkhitaryan has settled in well at Arsenal after leaving Manchester United, scoring and creating eight goals in 12 appearances in all competitions. He joined the North London club fin a deal that saw Alexis Sanchez join the Red Devils.
After facing Southampton, the Gunners take on CSKA Moscow in the return leg of their Europa League clash on Thursday. Mkhitaryan is expected to miss out.
With Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang cup-tied from the competition, Wenger has somewhat of selection headache for next week’s meeting in Russia.