Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has expressed concern over the injuries to Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice following their withdrawals during Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Chelsea, saying their conditions “don’t look good.”
Rice, who had been playing with a broken toe, was substituted in the 71st minute, while Saka, after receiving treatment for a leg issue, was taken off 10 minutes later.
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“It doesn’t look good, because for two players of that importance to tell you they cannot continue in the game, it’s not good news,” Arteta said.
Arsenal have already been grappling with several injuries to key players this season, and Saka had missed two matches earlier after picking up an injury during the last international break while playing for England.
Both Saka and Rice are part of interim head coach Lee Carsley’s England squad for next week’s Nations League fixtures, including a match in Greece on November 14 and a home game against the Republic of Ireland three days later.
However, Arteta is uncertain whether the pair will be fit to join the national team.
“I don’t know whether to expect them to be fit because if not they don’t come off,” he said.
“What I’m praying for is that after the international break we have the team fully physically equipped, that they are available and that they are fit, because it’s been a nightmare for eight weeks.”
Martin Odegaard started his first match for two months for Arsenal and played the whole match. Arteta said he will speak to his captain about a potential international call-up for Norway.
Arsenal go into the international break nine points off the top of the Premier League table and are without a win in five matches in all competitions.
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