Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has delivered concerning news about the fitness of key England internationals Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice following their premature exits during Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. The developments raise serious questions about their availability for England’s upcoming Nations League fixtures and Arsenal’s immediate future.
In what could prove to be a significant setback for both club and country, both players were forced to request substitutions during the London derby, with Rice battling through a broken toe sustained in last week’s defeat at Newcastle, while Saka was seen limping off with ten minutes remaining in the match. The situation appears particularly worrying given Arteta’s stark post-match assessment.
They don’t look very good, to be fair,” Arteta revealed to Sky Sports in his post-match interview, his usual optimistic demeanor notably subdued. When pressed about the potential long-term nature of the injuries, the Spanish manager’s uncertainty was evident: “I don’t know, but they both couldn’t finish the game so not good.
The timing of these injuries could hardly be worse, with both players having been named in Lee Carsley’s England squad for the upcoming Nations League matches. Rice’s situation appears especially concerning, as it was revealed he had been playing through a broken toe and hadn’t participated in training throughout the week leading up to the Chelsea clash.
Speaking to talkSPORT, Arteta provided additional context to the substitutions, confirming that both players had specifically requested to be withdrawn, stating they “weren’t feeling good at all.” This admission adds another layer of concern, particularly given both players’ typically high pain thresholds and commitment to staying on the pitch.
The injuries come at a crucial juncture in Arsenal’s season, with the Gunners currently sitting fourth in the Premier League, nine points behind leaders Liverpool. The team’s depth will be tested in the coming weeks, although the international break might provide some welcome recovery time for the injured stars.
Arteta’s broader comments about his squad’s physical condition revealed ongoing concerns about player fitness levels. Now my biggest thing is physically get everybody at their best because we have players out there who cannot play more than 60 minutes, they are playing and struggling,” he explained, highlighting the challenging situation facing his team.
There was one positive note amidst the injury concerns, with Martin Odegaard making his first start since August. However, Arteta emphasized the importance of using the upcoming international break to improve the overall fitness of his squad: “What I want in the international break is that we are fully fit and with that I am confident we will have a great season.
The potential absence of both Saka and Rice would be particularly significant for England, who are preparing for crucial Nations League fixtures. Saka has become an integral part of the national team’s attacking setup, while Rice’s commanding presence in midfield has made him virtually irreplaceable in England’s starting lineup.
For Arsenal, the immediate focus will be on their next Premier League fixture against Nottingham Forest on November 23rd, a match they can ill afford to drop points in given their current position in the title race. The two-week international break could provide valuable recovery time, but Arteta’s comments suggest both injuries might require more than just a short-term fix.
The situation also raises broader questions about player welfare and fixture congestion, with both Saka and Rice having played extensive minutes for both club and country over the past year. Their injuries add to the growing debate about the physical demands placed on modern footballers, particularly those competing at the highest level across multiple competitions.
As Arsenal and England anxiously await more detailed medical assessments of both players, the coming days will be crucial in determining the extent of their injuries and the potential impact on both club and international football. The hope will be that Arteta’s initial pessimistic assessment proves overly cautious, but the manager’s tone suggests genuine concern for two of his most influential players.
