Olivier Giroud could be facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines after being injured against West Ham.
Danny Welbeck’s first-half goal gave Arsenal a 1-0 victory and a place in the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup – but the Gunners’ night was marred by the injury Giroud.
The striker, who has been linked with a January move, went off 13 minutes from the end of an uninspiring quarter-final at the Emirates Stadium.
He appeared to suffer a nasty-looking hamstring injury and was clearly in much pain as he left the pitch.
Speaking at his post-match press conference, Gunners boss Arsene Wenger admitted the problem looks significant and that Giroud is set to miss Friday’s game against Liverpool
“It doesn’t look very good for him. I think he’s out of Friday night,” Wenger said.
The only goal of the game came four minutes before half-time.
Francis Coquelin found Mathieu Debuchy and the defender flicked the ball towards Welbeck, who was on hand to tap in from close range.
It was Welbeck’s third goal of the season and his first since September.
It came after Theo Walcott had missed a great chance to put Arsenal ahead, heading wide of the target after being found unmarked by Sead Kolašinac’s left-wing cross.
Joe Hart returned for West Ham and the keeper very nearly conceded a second-half penalty when he brought down Welbeck a fraction outside the area.
Andy Carroll was an aerial threat after being brought on along with Diafra Sakho in a double substitution midway through the second half by Hammers boss David Moyes, but the visitors were unable to create any clear-cut chances.