Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta provided an injury update on Martin Odegaard and Declan after the pair were forced off the pitch against West Ham United on Saturday.Â
It was Rice who opened the scoring for Gunners at the Emirates Stadium when he fired the ball in from close range in the 38th minute.
Arsenal were awarded a penalty in the second half when Jurrien Timber was brought down in the box by El Hadji Malick Diouf. Bukayo Saka stepped up to convert the spot kick for his 100th goal for the club, on his 200th appearance.
The victory was marred by yet more injury concerns for Arteta, however. For the third time this season Odegaard had to leave a Premier League with an injury, this time following a clash of knees. He was replaced by Martin Zubimendi a half hour into the match.
Rice then made way for Mikel Merino late in the second half, with the manager confirming afterwards that he asked to come off due to a back issue.
Arsenal injury update issued following Odegaard and Rice subs
“With Martin it was a clash knee to knee,” Arteta said. “It’s not looking very positive at the moment.”
“With Declan he was struggling with back pain and he asked me to come off. Let’s see what the doctor says now and what is best for him.”
The two midfielders join Noni Madueke (knee), Piero Hincapie (groin), Gabriel Jesus (cruciate ligament) and Kai Havertz (knee) on the treatment table. Madueke and Hincapie are expected to return later this month, Havertz in November, and Jesus at the end of the year.
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