Arteta gives Arsenal injury update amid Declan Rice issue

Mikel Arteta has provided an update on Arsenal’s injuries after Declan Rice was forced off during the 2-0 win over Brentford.

Goals from Mikel Merino and Bukayo Saka saw Arsenal extend their lead at the top to five points, though a positive night was overshadowed by injury problems.

Declan Rice and Cristhian Mosquera both picked up issues at the Emirates, with the duo adding to an absentee list that already includes Kai Havertz, Gabriel and William Saliba.

Arteta said Arsenal are yet to understand the extent of the problems, but admitted it is ‘never good news’ when a player is forced off.

Rice walked through the mixed zone after the game and told reporters he was ‘fine’, ahead of a crunch clash with in-form Aston Villa at the weekend.

Rice has been instrumental to the club’s run to the top of the Premier League this season, while Mosquera has deputised impressively in the absence of Gabriel and Saliba.

“Yes, obviously it’s never good news, Declan [Rice] had to come off, we don’t know, we’ll have to see tomorrow what he’s got,” Arteta said at his post-match press conference.

“[Cristhian] Mosquera is the other one that is out, obviously we have big Gabi and Willy [Saliba] out as well.

“So we have to adapt, it’s been a theme this season, but when I look at the players that haven’t been playing much, for example Ben White, the performance that he had. Martin [Odegaard] has been out, and he puts 96 minutes under his belt straight away. Noni, the same, Viktor [Gyokeres] is coming and now he’s getting some minutes as well. So I’m very pleased to see that.

Read – Arteta hails ‘immense’ Arsenal star after latest goal

See more – Who could be the next Premier League player to reach 100 goals?