Both William Saliba and Declan Rice came off injured for Arsenal against Crystal Palace, and their exits have raised eyebrows.
Saliba was replaced at halftime of the Week 9 match with Arsenal leading 1-0, while Rice was removed in the 82nd minute for Mikel Merino.
This is not what the Premier League leaders wanted, as they’ve already had to deal with big injuries this season.
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As for Saliba, there was some question about his status since his removal came at halftime. Cristhian Mosquera took his place in a move made more interesting because Gabriel Magalhaes was the Arsenal center back considered an uncertainty to start, let alone play this game. Instead, Magalhaes played on.
So what were Mikel Arteta’s updates on his French center back and English midfielder?
William Saliba, Declan Rice injury updates from Mikel Arteta
Ahead of the League Cup last 16 clash at home to Brighton on Wednesday, Arteta was asked about the injuries to Saliba and Rice.
“He’s out,” Arteta said on Saliba. “We are assessing him, but he won’t be involved in this match.”
He added “Rice will be available” in a more positive update.
Saliba missed a 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest with an ankle injury suffered in Week 3 at Liverpool and played just 45 minutes at Newcastle two weeks later.
He sat out three games last season, one for a suspension, another for a hamstring problem, and third for rest reasons.
Rice has been key while plenty of Arsenal stars have been going down injured around him. So it’s great news he is available even if he’s unlikely to start against Brighton.
The Gunners are flying but these latest injuries are concerning and after a superb and consistent start to the season, Arteta will hope both Saliba and Rice will be ready to roll for a huge stretch of games coming up.
