The most recent Arsenal injury report includes updates on Rice, Saka, Partey, and three more players
Declan Rice was substituted owing to a back issue, according to Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta after the 2-2 draw with Tottenham.
The Gunners manager stated that the midfielder was in enough discomfort to be taken off before halftime during the North London derby:
“He had some discomfort in his back. He was telling us during the first half that he was uncomfortable and when we assessed him at half-time he could not continue, so we had to change him. It’s strange when a player like him asks to come off because he’s uncomfortable.”
Rice did not sustain a major injury, and while he may miss the Carabao Cup encounter against Brentford on Wednesday night, he might return for this weekend’s game against Bournemouth.
Bukayo Saka was also suddenly substituted against Tottenham, although the winger was only hauled off as a precaution to manage an existing Achilles problem.
Thomas Partey may be able to return from a muscle injury sooner than predicted. The Ghanaian international has not played since a 2-2 draw with Fulham last month, and he was expected to be out until the next international break. There is now some optimism that the midfielder will be available for the match against Manchester City on October 8th.
Updates on the fitness of 3 other Arsenal players
Leandro Trossard was out with a hamstring injury on Sunday. Some have speculated that the Belgian may feature this weekend against Bournemouth, but this is doubtful. He is expected to make his return before the City game.
Gabriel Martinelli is in the same predicament. The Brazilian was pulled off with his own hamstring injury in the 1-0 win over Everton, and he might be out for a few weeks.
Jurrien Timber is out for the foreseeable future due to an ACL injury suffered against Nottingham Forest on the first day of the season.
