17 hours ago
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Mikel Arteta has provided an injury update on key players Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice after both midfielders were taken off in Arsenal's 2-0 win over West Ham.
The Gunners lost captain Odegaard in the first half following a clash of knees with West Ham's Crysencio Summerville. The Norway international attempted to play on, but was withdrawn for Martin Zubamendi after dropping to the grass a third time. Odegaard's third consecutive Premier League game was withdrawn before halftime due to injury.
Shortly after Odegaard's withdrawal, Rice opened the scoring for the Gunners, smashing home his second in Arsenal colors against his former team. Arsenal added a second just before the 70-minute mark from the penalty spot through Bukayo Saka, but just minutes later, it was Rice's turn to depart the field with an injury issue.
The win fired the Gunners to the top of the Premier League. Still, particular focus was paid to the injuries of Odegaard and Rice, who are key players and will be instrumental in their efforts to win the league this season.
Manager Arteta confirmed that Odegaard's withdrawal was due to the clash of knees with Summerville, and that Rice was substituted due to back pain.
"With Martin, it was a clash knee to knee. It's not looking very positive at the moment," Arteta said on Odegaard.
"So unlucky again. He went knee to knee and felt straight away something was not right. Let's assess him and see how bad the injury is. He has been very, very unlucky."
He added on Rice: "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."
Outside of the injury setbacks, the Gunners have an opportunity to stay at the top of the Premier League heading into the upcoming international break. Arne Slot's Liverpool are being held to a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea.
The Gunners also overcame a two-game losing streak against the Hammers at the Emirates, learning from their previous matchups. West Ham won 2-0 at the Emirates under David Moyes in 2023, and 1-0 last season with Graham Potter as manager.
"Very happy. We knew it would be a tough match. Three games in seven days and two very intense games before this. Very happy," Arteta said on the win.
"When we played Newcastle we said we had to learn from the past and the scars we had in that stadium," he continued.
"Today as well we lost the previous two at the Emirates (against West Ham) but we won today and fully deserved it."
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