Mikel Arteta has been handed two fresh Arsenal injury concerns following the 5-1 Premier League win against Crystal Palace. Declan Rice and Riccardo Calafiori handed Arteta a double boost in the build up as the duo returned to the matchday squad for the trip to Selhurst Park.
One player noticeably absent however was Raheem Sterling, after playing 70 minutes against the Eagles in Carabao Cup action earlier that week. With one attacking injury blow emerging, Arteta was handed a second during the first half when Bukayo Saka was forced off with a hamstring injury.
Rice and Calafiori were introduced for the final 30 minutes with the former grabbing Arsenal's fifth. Despite the win, concern will be high surrounding Saka in particular with the Gunners to play three games in quick succession after Christmas.
With that being said, football.london has taken a look at the latest Arsenal injury news as Arteta's list of absentees appears to increase.
Bukayo Saka
Injury: Hamstring
Saka was taken off after just 24 minutes because of injury. The England international appeared to be holding his right hamstring, an area he has already suffered two issues in this season. It was later revealed he left the stadium on crutches.
What Arteta has said: "He felt something in his hamstring. He will have to be assessed. Pretty worried about that. It’s difficult to guess now. They have tested him but difficult to say how bad it is."
Possible return date: Unknown.
Raheem Sterling
Injury: Unknown
Having played 70 minutes in the week against Crystal Palace, Sterling was missing from the matchday squad to face the Eagles at Selhurst Park
**What Arteta has said: "**We lost Raheem yesterday and we don’t know for how long. To lose two players in 24 hours is not good. With this schedule it doesn’t surprise me. The team will react to that."
Possible return date: Unknown
Declan Rice
Injury: Unknown
Rice played the final 30 minutes against Palace and scored Arsenal's fifth with an excellent finish.
What Arteta has said: "Dec only had one training session, that's why he's on the bench but good news that he's available."
Possible return date: Returned.
Riccardo Calafiori
Injury: Knee/Groin
Like Rice, Calafiori was back in the Arsenal squad to face Palace. He appeared to pick up a fresh injury moments after coming on following a late challenge by Nathaniel Clyne, but he was able to continue.
What Arteta has said: "They are both [Rice and Calafiori] available to be in the squad."
Possible return date: Returned.
Oleksandr Zinchenko
Injury: Unknown
Despite Arteta's comments on Friday, Zinchenko missed out for Arsenal over the weekend.
What Arteta has said: "Zinchenko could probably be available as well. Tomiyasu won't be."
Possible return date: Ipswich Town (H) - Friday, December 27.
Ben White
White has not played for Arsenal since the 1-1 draw against Chelsea back in early November. He underwent minor surgery in the following international break
Injury: Knee
What Arteta has said: "Ben is going to be out for months. We had to make a decision in the last few weeks, unfortunately. It got to a point where we had to protect the player, and we decided to do the surgery."
Possible return date: Unknown
Takehiro Tomiyasu
Injury: Knee
Tomiyasu is still missing with injury. Arteta has previously revealed his return to action will be managed very carefully.
What Arteta has said: "Zinchenko could probably be available as well. Tomiyasu won't be."
Possible return date: Unknown
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