Mikel Arteta says he doesn’t expect Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice to be fit for England’s Nations League fixtures later this month.
The Arsenal pair were facing Chelsea in the 1-1 Premier League draw on Sunday afternoon but failed to complete the clash at Stamford Bridge.
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Trying to force a breakthrough going into the final ten minutes of the game, Saka picked up the ball on the right flank and tried to move away from Marc Cucurella.
However, he was clattered into and left in a crumpled heap on the floor.
After getting up to continue playing, Saka then went down once again, clutching his shin and appearing to be in some discomfort.
Following advice from the Arsenal medical team, the decision was made for Saka to come off and be replaced by Gabriel Jesus.
Declan Rice also came off earlier in the second half, being replaced by Mikel Merino.
Responding to the injuries picked up by both Saka and Rice, Arteta told Sky Sports: “They don’t look good to be fair.
“They weren’t able to finish the game, not good.”
Speaking to talkSPORT, Arteta added: “They could not finish the game. They weren’t feeling good at all. So they asked to be subbed. That’s the news.”
And in his post-match press conference, Arteta said: “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.”
The injury to Saka will be a worry as it comes a month on from picking up a similar knock while on England duty.
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Lasting 51 minutes against Greece last month, Saka then missed England’s clash with Finland, before missing Arsenal’s matches with Shakhtar Donetsk and Bournemouth.
So far this term Saka has scored four goals and offered seven assists in 14 games for the Gunners.
While captaining the side against Liverpool and Newcastle, the 23-year-old’s withdrawal against Chelsea will be a worry.
Saka has been called up for England’s upcoming UEFA Nations League fixtures with Greece and Ireland.
However, it remains to be seen how serious the injury will be and whether it will impact his availability.
Meanwhile, Rice missed Arsenal’s 1-0 defeat to Inter Milan on Wednesday night with a knock but was unable to complete the draw at Chelsea.
Chelsea star Cole Palmer was also seen limping after the match but Blues boss Enzo Maresca was non-committal when asked about the former Manchester City star’s availability for England.
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“I don’t know. We knew that until the end there was a doubt, but he was quite well,” Maresca said.
“He was painful, but we’ll see now.”
The Gunners were unable to get back to winning ways as they laboured to a 1-1 draw against the Blues.
Gabriel Martinelli’s cheeky finish put them ahead but a low drive from distance from Pedro Neto ensured it was honours even, leaving Arsenal nine points off the top of the Premier League.
