Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice both missed Arsenal’s FA Cup quarter-final clash against Southampton.
The two Englishmen are usually among the first names on the team sheet every week, but they have been struggling with fitness recently.
Both Rice and Saka were sent back home by England during the international break because they weren’t fit enough.
Arsenal fans hoped to see them back fit, but they didn’t make the squad at the St Mary’s. That played a part in the defeat, but there is some good news regarding both of them.
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Mikel Arteta says Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice were ‘very close’ to playing vs Southampton
When Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka returned to Arsenal without playing for England, they came under immense criticism.
Some people felt the Arsenal duo, along with a few others who withdrew from international duty, were prioritising their club over their countries.
However, that theory has proved to be utter nonsense in Rice and Saka’s case because both players were ruled out of the FA Cup clash against Southampton.
Arsenal fans wouldn’t have wanted either player to start against the Saints, but to see them completely out of the squad raised some concerns.
However, Mikel Arteta has eased those fears by claiming that Rice and Saka, along with Leandro Trossard, were all actually close to making the squad on Saturday night, which means they are not far off.
When asked how close the trio were to playing, the Arsenal boss said, as per Sky Sports: “Very close. Let’s see [if they’re back in midweek].”
Arsenal missed Declan Rice against Southampton
Max Dowman impressed on the right wing in Saka’s position, so the number seven wasn’t as big a miss for Arsenal against the Saints.
However, in the middle of the park, the Gunners could’ve done with Rice.
Without the Englishman and Martin Zubimendi starting, Arsenal’s defensive structure was nowhere near as solid as it usually is.
Arteta’s side also missed Rice’s driving runs from midfield into the final third, while their corner deliveries were awful in the absence of their main midfielder.
Arsenal fans will be hoping that Rice, as well as Saka, are fit and ready to start when they take on Sporting CP in the Champions League midweek.
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