Arsenal have been left sweating on the fitness of Hector Bellerin ahead of their Premier League clash with Manchester United after the full-back pulled out of training with Spain's Under-21 squad.
Spanish newspaper AS reported that Bellerin was unable to complete a recent full training session while on international duty ahead of Friday's match away to Austria, before clarifying that the Gunners right-back was not 100% fit after linking up with the rest of his compatriots.
Bellerin completed the full 90 minutes of Arsenal's 1-1 North London derby draw with Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday after supposedly being rested for the 3-2 Champions League victory over FC Ludogorets on October 25,but has allegedly beenfeeling discomfort over an unknown injury and was forced to train away from the rest of Spain's Under-21 squad as a result.
Arsenal could be without Alexis Sanchez and Hector Bellerin for Manchester United game https://t.co/XIYsCDLsHU #gunners #coyg #Arsenal
In better news for the club,Bellerin has reportedly signed a new bumper six-year contract to remain at the Emirates, but that news is now due to be tempered over a spell on the sidelines for the 21-year-old. Theseverity of his injury not yet known.
The news comes as a major blow to Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, who is already potentially without star striker Alexis Sanchez for the November 19 clash with United after the forward pulled up with a calf problem.
The encounter at Old Trafford is set to pit Wenger against long-time rival Jose Mourinho, with the Frenchman yet to win a single contest against his Portuguese counterpart and now facing the possibility of being without the services of two of his best players.
Sanchez picked up what appears to be a slight calf tear during a training drill with the Chilean national team, and time will tell if the 27-year-old has any chance of figuring against United in 10 days time.
A statement from the Chilean FA said: "The medical corps of the Chilean national team informs the player Alexis Sanchez has a low-grade muscle injury. The athlete will stay in Santiago, under treatment and evaluation, before the meeting of Chile and Uruguay."
United, meanwhile, will be unable to call upon veteran forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic after the ex-Sweden international picked up a one-match suspension for five yellow card offences.
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