Arsenal’s 1-1 draw with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge came at a cost, as manager Mikel Arteta revealed post-match injury concerns for two key players, Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice.
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Arsenal, having fought to maintain their league position, saw an intense but quality-lacking match, where Gabriel Martinelli gave the Gunners a brief lead before Pedro Neto equalized for Chelsea.
The match saw Saka attempting a last-minute push along the byline, only to end up in visible discomfort on the pitch after an attempt to cross was intercepted by Chelsea’s Robert Sanchez.
Moments earlier, Declan Rice had also left the field after being substituted for Mikel Merino, raising further questions about the England midfielder’s condition.
Arteta voiced his concern, stating both players’ injuries were troubling, remarking that the signs “don’t look very good.” When questioned about the potential for long-term absences, he admitted uncertainty, acknowledging both players’ inability to finish the game as a worrisome sign.
With the international break approaching, Arteta’s primary focus will be restoring his squad’s physical condition, noting several players are struggling to play full matches. Arteta shared optimism for the squad’s performance once everyone is fully fit, confident that this could lead to an even stronger second half of the season.
Meanwhile, Arsenal fans were encouraged to see the return of Martin Odegaard, who resumed his starting position following an ankle injury that had sidelined him since August.