Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka still haven’t trained since getting injured in the north London derby, reveals Mikel Arteta as the Arsenal boss faces an injury crisis for trip to Bournemouth

Arsenal could be without a host of first-team regulars for Saturday’s Premier League clash against Bournemouth. 

Mikel Arteta has revealed that summer signing Declan Rice has not trained this week after being forced off at half-time of last weekend’s 2-2 draw against Tottenham.

The Arsenal boss said after the game that the England international was suffering with a back problem. 

Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard both missed the game against Spurs, and neither has yet returned to training. 

Bukayo Saka came off late on in the north London derby and then missed the midweek Carabao Cup third round victory against Brentford.

Declan Rice was forced off at half-time of last weekend’s 2-2 draw against Tottenham due to a problem with his back

Ahead of the Bournemouth game, Arteta said: ‘He [Rice} hasn’t trained yet. We have another session in an hour or two. More news today. Martinelli hasn’t trained, Trossard – same situation. Saka – same situation.’

The Arsenal boss also said that William Saliba and Fabio Vieira ‘weren’t fit enough’ to be selected for the win at Brentford. 

Arsenal are optimistic that the injury to Rice is not a long-term one, after he was substituted against Spurs when his movement became restricted. 

The £105million summer signing from West Ham has since undergone a number of tests to try and determine the extent of the issue. 

Saka looked to be in discomfort as he was substituted in the final minutes of the Spurs game, and he is yet to feature since. 

Arsenal hope to have both Trossard and Martinelli available for the visit of Manchester City on Sunday, October 8. 

Both missed the Tottenham draw with hamstring injuries.