Arsenal’s 1-1 draw against Chelsea on Sunday has been overshadowed by concerns over the fitness of Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice, with manager Mikel Arteta delivering a bleak update on the pair.
Both players were forced off during the match, with Saka limping off in the 80th minute and Rice struggling through a broken toe. Arteta admitted that the duo “don’t look very good” and expressed uncertainty over their availability for England’s upcoming Nations League ties.
Rice, who suffered the broken toe in Arsenal’s defeat to Newcastle last weekend, didn’t train all week but was risked against Chelsea. However, the gamble didn’t pay off, and Arteta acknowledged that the midfielder was struggling.
“They weren’t feeling good at all,” Arteta told talkSPORT. “They asked to be substituted, and we had to make the change.” When questioned about the potential long-term implications, Arteta replied, “I don’t know, but they both couldn’t finish the game, so it’s not good.”
The Arsenal boss is keen to use the international break to get his squad back to full fitness. “Now my biggest thing is physically getting everybody at their best,” he said. “We have players out there who cannot play more than 60 minutes; they’re playing and struggling.”
With Arsenal sitting fourth in the Premier League, nine points behind leaders Liverpool, they cannot afford to drop more points. The Gunners host Nottingham Forest on November 23, and Arteta will be hoping to have a fully fit squad at his disposal.
The international break comes at a crucial time for Arsenal, but the uncertainty surrounding Saka and Rice’s fitness will dominate the headlines. Will they recover in time for England’s Nations League ties, or will their injuries prove a lingering concern for Arteta’s side? Only time will tell.
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