Mikel Arteta's worrying concern after Chelsea frustrate Arsenal to draw

Mikel Arteta's worrying concern after Chelsea frustrate Arsenal to draw

Stephen Awino 14:00 - 11.11.2024

Mikel Arteta is a worried man after two key players limped off during their 1-1 draw with Chelsea last Sunday.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has been left with growing concerns after two of his key players, Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka, sustained injuries during a challenging 1-1 draw against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

The game saw Arsenal take an initial lead with Gabriel Martinelli’s goal in the 60th minute, but the advantage was short-lived as Chelsea’s Pedro Neto equalized ten minutes later.

However, the result was not Arteta’s only worry as the withdrawal of both Rice and Saka in the latter stages of the game compounded his troubles.

Rice was substituted in the 71st minute, shortly after Chelsea’s equalizer, while Saka followed just nine minutes later, replaced by Gabriel Jesus.

Arteta confirmed in a post-match press conference that both players reported discomfort, leaving them unable to continue.

"It doesn’t look good," Arteta admitted, adding, "For two players of that importance to tell you they cannot continue in the game, obviously it’s not good news."

He further hinted that the two might not be available for their respective national teams during the upcoming international break.

"Two players that have just come off? I don’t expect them to be fit, because if they were, they wouldn’t have come off," Arteta said, dampening hopes for a quick return.

Arsenal’s medical team is set to conduct scans to assess the extent of their injuries in the coming days.

The Gunners now face a crucial period as they await updates on two of their most influential players.

Following the international break, Arsenal will host Nottingham Forest at the Emirates on November 23, a fixture Arteta hopes will mark the start of a positive turn in their campaign.

The upcoming break could provide a valuable recovery period for Rice and Saka, as Arsenal looks to rally with their full squad intact.