Arteta: Arsenal trapped in an injury nightmare

Mikel Arteta called Arsenal's stuttering bid to win the Premier League title a "nightmare" after his side were left nine points adrift of Liverpool following a 1-1 draw at Chelsea.

The Gunners appeared on course to end a three-match winless streak in the league after Gabriel Martinelli converted a fine cross from the returning Martin Odegaard on the hour mark.

However, Arteta’s men were pegged back just 10 minutes later when Pedro Neto unleashed from range before Leandro Trossard failed to convert William Saliba’s pass from close range in the final second.

Trossard’s late miss saw Arteta collapse on to the pitch, while the Spaniard was also left pondering a fresh double injury blow after both Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka were unable to complete the match. Arteta revealed the England duo are a doubt for the forthcoming international break.

Odegaard’s first start since September provided Arsenal with a timely boost, but their season has been derailed by a series of injuries and suspensions.

Speaking after the score draw at Stamford Bridge, which marked the first time Arsenal have gone four matches without a win in the top flight since April 2023, he said: "There’s nothing that we can do about that.

"What I’m praying for is that after the international break we have the team fully physically equipped, that they are available and that they are fit, because, it’s been a nightmare for eight weeks.

"Doubt after doubt, issue after issue, not only with the ones that are not able to play, but with the ones who are able to play.

"I am disappointed with the result because I think we deserved more. After scoring the first goal, I’m very disappointed with how we conceded their goal. That’s nowhere near the standards of our defensive habits,