Mikel Arteta says he’s “praying” Arsenal’s harm “nightmare” is over as his facet fall 9 factors behind Premier League leaders Liverpool after Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Chelsea.
The Gunners appeared set to finish their three-game profitable streak within the league after Gabriel Martinez latched on to a wonderful cross from the returning Martin Odegaard on the hour mark.
Nevertheless, simply 10 minutes later, Arteta’s crew was counterattacked by Pedro Neto’s lengthy shot, and Leandro Trossard failed to attain within the recreation. Within the remaining seconds, William Saliba transformed a close-range go right into a aim.
Trossard’s late error noticed Arteta collapse on the pitch, and the Spaniard was taking a look at a brand new double harm blow after each Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka had been unable to complete the sport. Arteta revealed that the England pair’s availability for the upcoming worldwide break stays a doubt.
Odegaard’s first begin since September offered Arsenal with a well timed increase however their season has been derailed by a collection of accidents and suspensions.
Arsenal participant Martin Odegaard returns from harm
The draw at Stamford Bridge marked the primary time Arsenal have gone 4 video games with no win within the high flight since April 2023, and he stated after the sport: “There’s nothing we are able to do about it.
“My prayer is that after the worldwide break our squad is totally outfitted and so they can play and be match as a result of it has been a nightmare for eight weeks.
“Query after query, query after query, not simply for many who cannot play, but in addition for many who can.
“I am dissatisfied with the consequence as a result of I assumed we deserved extra. After scoring the primary aim I used to be very dissatisfied with the way in which we conceded the ball. It was nowhere close to the usual of what we’re used to defensively, how we conceded allowed.
“When you give area and time, you get punished, so it is not unhealthy luck. Then the crew confirmed its enamel. We created three nice probabilities. Sadly, we could not put the ball behind the online. .
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Premier League match highlights between Chelsea and Arsenal
Arteta says Saka and Rice don’t look good
Rice was uncertain with a damaged toe and was substituted after 71 minutes, whereas Saka was additionally substituted within the second interval after a heavy deal with from Marc Cucurella.
“It would not look good as a result of for 2 such necessary gamers to not be capable of proceed enjoying, clearly that is not excellent news,” Arteta added.
Requested if he anticipated them to be accessible for England’s Nations League video games towards Greece and Eire, Arteta replied: “Effectively, the 2 gamers who’ve simply come off, I do not know if I count on them to get well as a result of if not they’ll Won’t fall off.
‘Arsenal have to maintain working’
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Premier League match highlights between Chelsea and Arsenal
Sky Sports activities’ Paul Merson:
“Will probably be tough for Arsenal. They’ve a bullseye on their again. They’re a fantastic crew and everybody desires to beat them.
“I discover their confidence is a bit low for the time being. It wasn’t free-flowing towards Chelsea and when your confidence is gone, not everybody desires the ball. After they have power, everyone seems to be transferring. That is it. Like a purple arrow.
“In opposition to Chelsea, when Partey, Rice and Odegaard had the ball, there wasn’t lots of choices. There weren’t 5 – 6 passes.
“Arsenal have to maneuver on now. They’ve to search out some consistency. They will do it, they will get 5 – 6 wins on the spin and so they have to try this to get again into the Championship group.
“They will not go far, [it was] It was an excellent efficiency in Milan, though they did not seem like scoring and it is a tough place to be, they had been utterly snug. Raya did not make any world-class saves.
“So it is a begin, however as Arteta stated, he has to get the gamers match now and so they should maintain working and ensure we get down to 6 factors earlier than we get to 12 factors – if we get to 12 factors , good evening.
