Mikel Arteta gives injury updates ahead of Chelsea clash | OneFootball

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has provided a series of injury updates ahead of the crucial Premier League showdown against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

Both clubs currently sit level on 18 points after 10 matches, with Arsenal looking to bounce back following some poor performances.

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 02: Declan Rice of Arsenal reacts during the Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Arsenal FC at St James’ Park on November 02, 2024 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Mikel Merino and Kai Havertz both featured in Arsenal’s midweek clash against Inter Milan but neither completed the full match.

Merino was replaced at half-time by Gabriel Jesus, initially sparking concerns about a potential injury.

The midfielder had suffered a blow to the head in the first half, raising suspicions of a concussion. However, Arteta clarified the situation:

“He was not concussed,” Arteta said after the match. “But yesterday and today he was already not feeling great. After, when I looked at him, I decided to take him off because I need him 100%.”

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 02: Mikel Merino of Arsenal challenges Alexander Isak of Newcastle during the Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Arsenal FC at St James’ Park on November 02, 2024 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

As for Havertz, his substitution was due a clash of heads left him with a deep cut. Arteta confirmed that the injury was not a concussion but rather required stitches:

“Regarding Kai, yeah, he’s got a big cut,” Arteta said. “He needed to come off because he needed some stitches, but hopefully he’s going to be okay for the weekend.”

Ahead of the Chelsea fixture, Arteta further commented: “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.”

LONDON, ENGLAND: Declan Rice and Ben White of Arsenal look dejected after the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Liverpool FC at Emirates Stadium on October 27, 2024. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

Declan Rice is also dealing with a reported broken toe. Arteta was cautious about the player’s status:

“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.”

Rice, whose toe injury was sustained during Arsenal’s defeat to Newcastle United, missed the Champions League tie against Inter Milan. The club had initially described it as a ‘minor’ foot injury. According to the Telegraph, Rice remains hopeful of being available for Arsenal’s Premier League clash with Chelsea on Sunday.

If he manages to get through that game without issue, he intends to join Lee Carsley’s England squad for the upcoming Nations League fixtures, alongside Bukayo Saka.

Meanwhile, Martin Odegaard returned from a two-month absence to play briefly at the end of the game against Inter.

Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard in the Arsenal third kit for 2024/25 (Photo via Arsenal.com)

Arteta remained hopeful about Odegaard starting against Chelsea: “Everybody that is in the squad is going to be fit and available to start the game,” Arteta said. “So, then it will be a decision whether it’s too early or it’s the right moment for him to make that step again.”

The Gunners’ recent form has been bad, losing three of their last six games in all competitions, including consecutive defeats to Newcastle and Inter Milan without scoring.

Despite controlling possession in those games, Arsenal have struggled for creativity.

However, fans are optimistic that Martin Odegaard‘s return can reignite their attacking play.

Arsenal’s recent record against Chelsea has been good, winning three of their last four league encounters at Stamford Bridge.

Conversely, Chelsea have managed only one win in their last four league matches and have conceded in their last six home games—an area that manager Enzo Maresca will be keen to address.