Xhaka hands Arsenal crucial injury doubt ahead of Newcastle clash

Granit Xhaka has added to Arsenal’s injury troubles ahead of their Premier League clash with Newcastle on Monday after suffering an adductor injury on international duty with Switzerland.

The 26-year-old was forced off with 10 minutes remaining in his country’s 3-3 draw with Denmark, a match which they were leading 3-0 at the time of his substitution.

Xhaka had scored one of the three Swiss goals, a fine long-range strike with his weaker right foot, and the remarkable comeback from the Danes inevitably led to questions over head coach Vladimir Petkovic’s decision to substitute the Arsenal midfielder.

“Xhaka could not stay on the pitch,” Petkovic said. “He asked me ten minutes before to be replaced.

“Granit had adductor problems, he could not do any more.”

His absence would be keenly felt by Arsenal, with the deep-lying playmaker a crucial part of Unai Emery’s plans for the run-in of the season.

Xhaka has been a near-ever present under Emery when fit and his ability to spread play and move the ball quickly has been vital to Arsenal’s recent success.

Aaron Ramsey also faces tests on a tight left thigh though there is optimism he will have recovered in time for the visit of Rafa Benitez’s side to the Emirates Stadium.

The bulk of the Gunners squad that travelled to Dubai appeared to have come through a 3-2 win against local side Al Nasr without any complaints.

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