Arsenal offer worrying Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice injury updates after West Ham win

Mikel Arteta has warned that captain Martin Odegaard's injury could be serious after the midfielder departed the Emirates wearing a knee brace. Odegaard sustained a knee problem during the first half of Arsenal's 2-0 triumph over West Ham on Saturday afternoon.

The Gunners skipper established an unwanted milestone by becoming the first Premier League player ever to be withdrawn in the first half of three successive fixtures. Arteta appeared dejected when questioned about the Norwegian's condition following the match. He said: "I think he had a clash, knee-to-knee and immediately he was uncomfortable. I just spoke to him and he is not positive about it.

"He has got a brace on. We will have to wait from the doctors but we have been very unlucky with that. Yeah we haven't had him since the start for one reason or another. The shoulder twice and then this injury.

"We have to wait and see the extent of the injury. We will have to find solutions but obviously is our captain and is a player that gives us a completely different dimension with things that he can do, especially in the attack. Let's wait and hopefully it is not that bad."

Declan Rice netted his maiden goal of the campaign before Bukayo Saka contributed a second to ensure the Gunners claimed all three points against Nuno Espirito Santo's outfit.

However, Rice was withdrawn 11 minutes before the final whistle at his own request due to a back complaint after collapsing and requiring medical attention.

The midfielder has been a constant presence for Arsenal this season, but his participation for England in the upcoming matches against Wales and Latvia is now uncertain.

"Well, he's not alright because he asked me to come off, so that's a shame," Arteta commented when questioned about Rice.

"He had pain in his back and he could not carry on, which is something very unusual for Declan, so we'll have to assess him and see how he is."