Declan Rice Arsenal injury boost as Mikel Arteta hammer blow confirmed

Arsenal have received some big injury updates after both Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard were forced off in their 2-0 Premier League victory against West Ham United. The latter was replaced by Martin Zubimendi in the first half after taking a firm hit to his knee while Rice was withdrawn in the latter stages clutching his back.

"I think he [Odegaard] had a clash knee-to-knee, and immediately he was uncomfortable, I just spoke to him, he's not positive about it, he's got a brace on," Mikel Arteta revealed in a press conference after the game. "We'll have to wait and see from the doctors, but we haven't been very unlucky with that either."

On Rice, he added: "Well, he's not alright because he asked me to come off, so that's a shame. So, he had pain in his back and he could not carry on, which is something very unusual for Declan, so we'll have to assess him and see how he is."

The bigger concern surrounded Odegaard with the attacking midfielder unable to make it to the interval for the third consecutive Premier League home fixture. And those worries have since been confirmed with Arsenal forced to release an update on his condition ahead of the October international break.

"Martin Odegaard has been withdrawn from the Norway national team for their upcoming matches against Israel and New Zealand after sustaining a medial collateral ligament injury to his left knee during the first half in Saturday’s win over West Ham United," a club statement began.

"Martin will continue to be assessed and treated by our medical team at Sobha Realty Training Centre during the international window, with the aim of a return to action as soon as possible."

No such update was delivered on Rice however, with the understanding that he will report to St George's Park for England duty next week which suggests the problem that forced him off over the weekend is not serious.

That will serve as a boost for Arteta from a leadership perspective considering the hammer blow that would be losing his captain for the next few games. Further rest for Rice certainly would not have been a bad thing but he will certainly maintain match rhythm under Thomas Tuchel.

The 26-year-old has already been rested at points this season with benching's against Nottingham Forest and Olympiacos allowing him to perform at the highest level. That was evidenced by his superb assist in the win over Newcastle United last weekend and goal against former club West Ham on Saturday.

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