Arsenal played their penultimate pre-season match against Chelsea in Dublin yesterday evening, prevailing on penalties, but suffered a major blow ahead of the kick-off.
Wales international Aaron Ramsey was named in the starting line-up for the International Champions Cup clash but was withdrawn late on with a calf issue and replaced in the team by breakthrough starlet Emile Smith Rowe.
With just over a week to go until the new Premier League season begins with a tough test against defending champions Manchester City, Ramsey’s injury could not have come at a worse time – but Unai Emery is hopeful that the problem is not serious.
Quoted by The Evening Standard after the game, he said:
“He has got a little pain in his muscle and we decided not to start him because it is maybe a big risk for him. But I am awaiting the medical analysis and I think it’s not a big problem.”
