Mikel Arteta fears 'significant' injury as Arsenal star left 'unable to breathe'

Mikel Arteta says Arsenal are worried about Jorginho ahead of the clash with this week after he was forced off The veteran Italy International was substituted in the second half and “could not breathe” - leaving Arteta to worry that his problem is “something significant”.

Jorginho had been one of five changes from the 3-0 drubbing of the European champions in midweek as Arteta rotated his side. That included dropping , Martin Odegaard, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Mikel Merino and Jurrien Timber all to the bench.

Those five all came on in the second period after Thomas Partey - deputising at right-back - had struck to put the Gunners in front shortly after half time. But Yoane Wissa equalised for Thomas Frank’s stubborn side

"It is disappointing because we lost two points,” admitted Arteta. “From what we did in the game, how we dominated and what we conceded, I think we did enough to win. Against Brentford if you don't defend the first or second actions well on set pieces then they are going to punish you big time. We had an open goal with Bukayo after and we did not make it 2-0 and then with 1-0 the game is always open."

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Asked about losing Jorginho, Arteta said: “He said he could not breathe properly so it might be to do with one of the ribs. It is strange because Jorgi normally carries on so that means it is something significant I think."

Arteta also express concern over Partey, who was forced off in the second half after opening the scoring. “We didn’t expect the issue with Thomas that we had to take him out,” he said. “He felt something so we didn’t want to take any risks.

“We don’t know [the diagnosis], I haven’t spoken to the doctors yet. So they will check him now and see how he is.”

Those injury blows for the Gunners came ahead of their quarter-final second leg at the Santiago Bernabeu, with also struggling. He wasn’t in the squad on Saturday for the visit of the Bees and has only been used sparingly since returning from knee surgery.

Thomas Frank was delighted by his side, and for goalscorer Wissa. He said: "It is such a privilege. How many No.9s have scored 15 goals this year for a team that, with all due respect, is not amongst best in the league? That is a big credit to Wissa but also the chances we create.

"It is a very good point against a very good team that beat Real Madrid four days ago.

"Fighting back to get to 1-1 shows the character in our team. I would have loved us to create more but they also defended very well."

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