Mikel Arteta has offered an update on the injury situation at Arsenal as Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice and Leandro Trossard manage issues ahead of playing AFC Bournemouth.
The Gunners travel to Dean Court on Saturday with Arteta juggling a number of issues. Saka and Rice joined Trossard on the sidelines after developing problems during last week’s north London derby. Gabriel Martinelli was also out of action before they drew against Tottenham.
Several of Arsenal’s leading lights have headed for treatment at London Colney over recent weeks. Trossard followed Martinelli after developing a hamstring injury ahead hosting Spurs at Emirates Stadium. He replaced the Brazilian at Everton after Martinelli’s hamstring injury.
Mikel Arteta addresses Saka, Martinelli, Rice and Trossard’s injury situations at Arsenal
Arteta’s problems only heightened at home to Tottenham after Rice developed a back injury and would not continue. While Saka failed to shrug off a knock to his foot during the second half. Now, Arteta has noted that Saka may miss Arsenal’s trip to Bournemouth due to injury.
“[Rice] hasn’t trained yet,” Arteta admits, via quotes by football.london. “We have another session in an hour or two, so we’ll get more news about him.” He added: “[Martinelli] hasn’t trained – we need him back [and] we want him back.
“It’s the same situation [with Saka and Trossard].
Arteta added in his press conference (29/09, 09:41): “Obviously, they weren’t selected [at Brentford in the Carabao Cup] for a reason. They weren’t fit enough to be in the squad.
“My hope is that everybody will be fit and available because we need them available. So, hopefully, today we get some good news.”
Saka and Rice would be devastating long-term absences
Should Saka and Rice be unavailable to injury when Arsenal visit Bournemouth, Arteta will hope their issues do not cause long-term absences. Both players are instrumental to what the Gunners want to achieve and vital to how Arteta wants the north London team to play.
No player has scored more often for Arsenal so far this season than Saka with the 22-year-old netting four. He has also laid on a further four assists from his eight appearances in all competitions. No other Gunners player has assisted more than two goals so far this term.
Not having Trossard available due to an injury would also be huge with Martinelli possibly still out of action. The Belgian has provided three goals through his five appearances and has an assist. Just captain Martin Odegaard has also scored at least three times so far this season.
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