Arsenal’s £64 million ($74m) man Viktor Gyokeres gave supporters a scare after a brutal collision with team-mate Gabriel left him bloodied and bandaged during their Champions League clash with Athletic Club. The pair went for the same aerial ball in the box and Gabriel made forceful contact with the back of the striker's head. The Swede crumpled to the turf as blood gushed from the injury, requiring lengthy treatment.

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  Nasty head clash rocks Arsenal

  The sight of the Gunners’ marquee striker sprawled out with blood streaming from his scalp was cause for conern. Medical staff raced on, surrounding the 26-year-old while Gabriel stood over him, visibly shaken. The wound, a nasty-looking gash on his head, needed urgent treatment. A lengthy pause followed, stretching to almost four minutes, as Gyokeres was patched up on the pitch before being escorted to the sidelines.

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• Gyokeres bandaged up

  The new signing was, however, able to continue despite the significant knock. He returned to the field with a black bandage wrapped tightly around his head for protection.

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  Quiet night before injury scare

  Up until the sickening clash, Gyokeres had struggled to stamp his authority on the contest. Just six touches and three completed passes in the opening half-hour left the striker on the fringes of the action. He did carve out a half-chance, spinning inside the box and forcing a straightforward save from Athletic’s goalkeeper.

• On the search for more goals

  Gyokeres, who rattled in six Champions League strikes last season for Sporting, has arrived at Arsenal with a reputation for delivering under the European lights. Domestically, he has already opened his Premier League account with three goals in four games, but the expectation in north London is for him to transfer that scoring touch onto the biggest stage. His determination to play on despite a head wound will only endear him further to the Emirates faithful.

Tags: Futebol
Category: News