Mikel Arteta gets unexpected double Arsenal injury boost after Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice call
Mikel Arteta was greeted with a welcome Arsenal surprise on Friday evening involving Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka. During the 2023/24 season, both have proven to be absolutely vital for the Gunners who sit third heading into the international break behind Manchester City by one point and Liverpool on goals scored.
Arsenal headed into the two-week break off the back of wins over Sevilla and Burnley, however there were some negatives for Arteta. Club captain Martin Odegaard missed both games with Ben White a surprise absentee from the 3-1 triumph over Burnley.
Saka and Gabriel Martinelli also left both games with injury worries, however the duo have joined up with England and Brazil, respectively. For Martinelli, a start against Colombia in a World Cup qualifier seemed on the cards after his bright displays in training and the mini-injury crisis facing Brazil in attack.
Inside just four minutes, Martinelli have his nation the lead with a smart finish a Vinicius Jr pass. However, Luiz Diaz scored twice in the final quarter of an hour to win the game for Colombia. As for Saka, despite reports that Gareth Southgate was going to go strong with his team selection for the European championship qualifier against Malta, he was named on the bench.
As part of a front three, Harry Kane was flanked by Phil Foden and Marcus Rashford with Saka later coming on for the final 30 minutes. Considering the 22-year-old's amount of minutes played for the Gunners already this season, Arteta will certainly appreciate him remaining on the bench for 60 minutes where he was surprisingly joined by Rice.
The 24-year-old anchoring the midfield seemed a foregone conclusion ahead of the fixture with fellow partner Kalvin Phillips a doubt for the game while
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