Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice escaped serious injury after being carried off the field on Sunday.
The 24-year-old England international was withdrawn in the first half of the 2-2 Premier League draw with Tottenham Hotspur after he reported pain in his back.
Rice has played almost every minute of the season so far following his £105m move from West Ham United earlier this summer.
However, he asked to be taken off in the second half against Tottenham, with Arsenal continuing to drop points for only the second time this season.
“He was suffering from some discomfort in his back,” coach Mikel Arteta said after the match. “We have to evaluate him. It’s strange for a player like him to ask out because he’s uncomfortable. We hope that won’t be the case (in the long term).”
Tests confirmed that although Rice still feels discomfort, his condition is not serious and his condition and treatment will continue to be evaluated in the coming days.
Leandro Trossard also missed the North London derby with a minor muscle issue and is due to undergo further tests but is expected to feature at the weekend. Gabriel Martinelli, who came off against Everton due to a hamstring injury, is still undergoing treatment.
Bukayo Saka suffered a knock to his foot against Tottenham but it is also not thought to be serious while Thomas Partey remains sidelined with a thigh injury but is progressing well in his recovery.
Jurian Timber, who also joined the club in the summer window, remains out for a significant period after sustaining a serious knee injury in the opening game of the season.
Arsenal currently ranks fifth in the English Premier League table.
They return to action against Brentford in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday before visiting Bournemouth in the Premier League on Saturday.
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Without Declan Rice, Arsenal’s lack of physicality in midfield hurt them against Tottenham
(Photo: Ryan Pierce/Getty Images)
