Mikel Arteta gives Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice Arsenal injury updates as Chelsea impact clear

Mikel Arteta has provided an update on Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice following Arsenal's 1-1 draw with Chelsea. The duo appeared to suffer knocks during the Gunners' clash against the Blues at Stamford Bridge on Sunday evening.

Rice was replaced by Mikel Merino just moments after Pedro Neto pulled back an equaliser, before Gabriel Jesus was brought on for Saka. Speaking to reporters after the game, Arteta was asked to provide an update on the duo' fitness.

"It doesn’t look good, because for two players of that importance to tell you they cannot continue in the game, obviously it’s not good news," said the Spaniard. " I don’t know whether to expect them to be fit (for international duty) because if not they don't come off."

After dropping points to Chelsea, Arsenal remain fourth in the Premier League and nine-points adrift of Liverpool at the top of the table. On drawing from a winning position, Arteta said: "That’s not very much like us. I think today we have to fault ourselves. That’s something that we have to do better. We are not."

Then, on the title race, the Gunners boss said: "There’s nothing that we can do about that. What I’m praying is that we have the team fully physically equipped. It’s been a nightmare. So I’m just asking that because the desire and how much we want it there’s no question."

Martin Odegaard finally made his return from the treatment room after suffering an ankle injury while on international duty in September. Heaping praise on his skipper, Arteta said: "I don’t know another player that is capable of doing that after six weeks out."

The Arsenal boss added: "Disappointed with the result because I think we deserved more and at the same time very proud of the team. After scoring the first goal I’m very disappointed with how we conceded the goal. That’s nowhere near the standards."

With the international break underway, Arteta has a few days on the training pitches at London Colney to conjure up a plan for the Gunners' next clash against Nottingham Forest. The Spaniard will lock horns with Nuno Espirito Santo at the Emirates Stadium on November 23 before jetting off to Portugal to face Sporting CP a few days later.

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