Viktor Gyökeres treated for cut to head after clash with Gabriel in Arsenal Champions League opener
Forward received nearly four minutes of treatment after colliding with team-mate in 30th minute; returned wearing a black headband and was later substituted
Viktor Gyökeres required treatment for nearly four minutes after sustaining a cut to the back of his head following a clash of heads with team-mate Gabriel Magalhães during Arsenal’s Champions League opener against Athletic Club at San Mamés on Tuesday.
The incident occurred in the 30th minute as both players attacked a free kick into the Athletic box. Gyökeres and Gabriel both fell to the turf; footage showed Gyökeres bleeding from a gash at the rear of his head as medical staff attended to him on the pitch. Play was delayed for about four minutes while the forward received treatment and was eventually patched up by Arsenal’s medical team.
Gyökeres returned to the match wearing a black headband and was able to continue, though he was later substituted in the 65th minute for Leandro Trossard. Before the substitution, the Sweden international had registered four shots and had continued his strong start to life at Arsenal after the summer transfer, having scored three goals in his first four appearances for the club.
The match was goalless at the time of the collision as Athletic Club sought to frustrate one of the tournament favourites in the opening group game. The stoppage did not lead to any further delays once Gyökeres was treated and the contest resumed.
Arsenal confirmed the substitution but provided no immediate update on the long-term implications of the head cut. There were no reports of a head injury substitution at the time of leave; the replacement appeared tactical as Arsenal continued to press for a breakthrough.
Gyökeres joined Arsenal in the summer transfer window and has featured prominently in the club’s early-season plans. The incident at San Mamés will be assessed in the hours following the match in line with club and competition medical protocols for head injuries.
The Champions League fixture formed part of Arsenal’s return to Europe’s elite competition, where the club begins its group-stage campaign. Athletic Club, playing at their Basque home, sought a positive start against a side that arrived with strong expectations following their domestic form.
Match events after the head clash included Arsenal maintaining attacking pressure and both sides creating chances, with managers and medical teams monitoring player fitness throughout the remainder of the evening. Further official updates on Gyökeres’s condition are expected from Arsenal in the club’s post-match communications.