Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta says he is “praying” that the international break will pass without adding to their already significant fitness problems.
Arteta described the recent injury setbacks as an “absolute nightmare” and cast doubt on whether Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice would be available for England’s upcoming Nations League games against Greece and the Republic of Ireland.
Both Saka and Rice were forced to leave the field during Arsenal’s 1-1 draw with Chelsea on Sunday, with Saka limping off late in the match and Rice playing through the pain of a broken toe suffered in the previous game against Newcastle.
Martin Odegaard returned to Arsenal’s lineup for the first time since late August after an ankle injury, while Gabriel Martinelli recently sustained a calf injury while on international duty with Brazil.
Arsenal have also missed other key players this season, including Jurrien Timber, Thomas Partey, Ben White, and Takehiro Tomiyasu, as the club deals with a slew of fitness issues ahead of their next game on November 23 against Nottingham Forest.
“What I’m praying is that after the international break we have the team fully physically equipped. That they are available and that they are fit because it’s been a nightmare for eight weeks,” Arteta said.
🗞️ Today’s result
🗞️ Odegaard’s performance
🗞️ Fitness updates on Rice and SakaEvery word from Mikel’s post-Chelsea presser is available to read now 👇
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) November 10, 2024
“Doubt after doubt, issue after issue, not only with the ones that are not able to play, but with the ones who are able to play only for certain moments and not able to play.”
When asked about Saka and Rice’s availability for England, Arteta said: “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.
“[They are] two players that just came off, I don’t know whether to expect them to be fit because if [they are] they don’t come off.”
Arteta added that he intends to consult with Odegaard before deciding on his participation in Norway’s upcoming international fixtures.
