Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has provided a fresh injury update ahead of the Premier League clash against Chelsea on the road on Sunday evening.
The Gunners have had a disappointing run of results since the last international break. They have picked up just one point from the last three league outings.
The club were also on the losing end in the Champions League in midweek. It was one of their best performances in a while, but Inter Milan won 1-0 after a strong defensive showing.
Arsenal face arch-rivals Chelsea at Stamford Bridge this weekend and ahead of the London derby, Arteta has provided an injury update on four key players.
Declan Rice suffered a broken toe against Newcastle United last weekend and he was subsequently absent for the European defeat to the Nerazzurri.
When pressed on his fitness, Arteta said that he has no clarity whether he is going to be fit.
He said (via football.london): “I have to be very vague on that one because there’s no clarity if he’s going to be fit on the weekend. He hasn’t trained yet and it’s not clear if he’ll be able to play.”
The manager added that a decision on Martin Odegaard will be made before the game. The Norwegian returned from a long injury lay-off with a five-minute cameo at San Siro.
When asked about Odegaard, Arteta said: “Everybody in the squad will be fit and available to start the game, then it will be a decision on whether to start the game.”
Kai Havertz and Mikel Merino suffered knocks to their head in midweek. Havertz had a nasty cut and had to be taken off. Arteta said on the duo: “We will have to wait to see how they react.
“Kai had a nasty cut so we had to take him off. With Mikel he wasn’t feeling great the day before so we had to sub him at half time.”
Arsenal are already seven points behind Liverpool, who are top of the Premier League standings.
The club are also trailing Manchester City by five points and Sunday’s game is a must-win for them.
The Gunners have had the better of the Blues in recent years, but they now face a sterner challenge.
Chelsea are well-rested with manager Enzo Maresca having played most of the reserve team in Europe.
Arsenal need to pick up three points in west London or the title pursuit could receive a massive blow.
