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'It doesn’t look good' - Mikel Arteta gives injury update on two key Arsenal players

Mikel Arteta is concerned about further injuries to a couple of players following Arsenal's 1-1 draw against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on sunday.

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Saatvik Oberoi
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Arsenal injury

Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka have been ruled out of England's forthcoming matches against the Republic of Ireland and Greece by Mikel Arteta. The Three Lions' last UEFA Nations League group stage matches are against the Irish at Wembley coming up next week after they visit Athens. However, it now appears that Lee Carsley, the temporary manager, will have to cope without both Saka and Rice.

During the Gunners' Sunday trip to Chelsea, the two were substituted. Rice had not exercised all week due to a fractured toe he sustained at Newcastle last Saturday, and he carried that injury into the game. With 20 minutes remaining, Mikel Merino took the midfielder's position, while Saka was substituted out 10 minutes later due to a muscle problem.

Mikel Arteta said, “It doesn’t look good because two players of that importance tell you that they cannot continue in the game, so it obviously isn’t good news. I don’t expect them to be fit, because if they were, they wouldn’t have come off.”

England will host the Republic of Ireland at Wembley three days after their trip to group toppers Greece on Thursday. Conor Gallagher, Morgan Gibbs-White, Angel Gomes, and Curtis Jones are the other center midfielders included in Carsley's roster. In the meantime, Cole Palmer, Anthony Gordon, Jack Grealish, or Noni Madueke might take Saka's spot on the wing. Against Chelsea, Rice and Saka both had trouble as Arsenal's winless streak reached four games.

“We are still missing a lot” : Mikel Arteta

Before Pedro Neto's incredible goal saved a draw for Chelsea, Gabriel Martinelli had put the visitors ahead. Arteta also bemoaned his team's injury luck this season after the game.

The former Everton midfielder said that, "We are still missing a lot and some of the guys out there are not in the best condition and that is all we are asking, that they are fit and available and the physical condition to play at this level and we have not had any of that. It was patch, after patch, after patch - a lot of players starting and not in the condition to finish games, so that is what I am praying for. There is nothing we can change today about that.

Arsenal Bukayo Saka England Declan Rice Mikel Arteta Chelsea
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