Mikel Arteta confirms injuries to Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice as Chelsea stalemate
Arsenal lost points for the fourth consecutive year first division match, since they tied 1-1 against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Gabriel Martinelli's goal was disallowed by Pedro Neto to ensure that both sides shared the spoils.
To rub salt in the Gunners' wounds, two injury concerns arose during the match. Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice He had to be sent off in the second half and Mikel Arteta revealed that the situation “is not good” for any of the players.
In his post-match interaction with Sky Sports, said the Arsenal manager (h/t 90min),
“They (Saka and Rice) don't look very good. I don't know (if it's long term). “They both couldn’t finish the game, so it wasn’t good.”
Saka suffered an injury during the previous international break and as a result missed some action for Arsenal a few weeks ago. Rice has also been on the treatment table for the past week and missed the team's trip to Inter Milan in the champions league due to a broken toe.
It remains to be seen whether Saka and Rice have aggravated their old injuries or taken fresh knocks, but their withdrawals against Chelsea on Sunday will be a major concern for Arteta.
More worry for Arsenal
With Martin Odegaard recovered, it looked like Arsenal were finally starting to see the back of their injury problems. However, recent setbacks for Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice suggest otherwise.
Arteta can continue to employ his double pivot in Rice's absence with Mikel Merino and Thomas Partey still at his disposal, but Saka's absence is seismic given he has no similar replacement in the team. Raheem Sterling is capable of playing on the right flank but has not impressed since joining Arsenal from Chelsea.
The Gunners face fifth-placed Nottingham Forest in the Premier League after the international break before going on the road in the Champions League to face Sporting Lisbon. With two difficult games on the horizon, Arteta will be hoping his key players do not suffer serious injuries.
Rice and Saka will undergo further assessments to determine the severity of their injuries, but Arteta went on to suggest that his partner is unlikely to join England for their next international matches.
