Mikel Arteta provides William Saliba, Declan Rice and Gabriel Martinelli Arsenal injury update

Mikel Arteta has provided an update on Arsenal duo William Saliba and Declan Rice after the pair did not complete the entire match against Crystal Palace on Sunday.

Eberechi Eze's first half strike against his former club was enough as the Gunners took charge of the Premier League title race. With Liverpool and Manchester City losing this weekend, the Gunners are now four points clear of second placed Bournemouth.

Saliba, who partnered Gabriel Magalhaes in the heart of defence, was replaced by Cristhian Mosquera at half-time. Rice was forced off in the second half while there are also some concerns over the fitness of Riccardo Calafiori, too.

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Speaking after the match, Arteta said: "Well, the first one was Willy that obviously had to be out after the first half, Declan as well was struggling from the first half with a knock that he took, and who was the other one? Ricky. As well. So yeah, let's see how that will go."

He added: "On Willy there are two things related to his substitution and with Declan I don't really know because it was a knock. But I don't know if it was the calf or the Achilles or what exactly it was."

Gabriel Martinelli was also spotted limping down the tunnel after the match and Arteta said the winger "felt something". He said: "Yeah, I think so. We have to check that one. He was a bit uncomfortable. He said he felt something. We don't know whether it's a muscular issue or not. Tomorrow we'll have more news."

Arteta was asked about Bukayo Saka after the Englishman was replaced in the second period. Arteta confirmed the right winger has been ill this week and it was simply a chance to manage his minutes.

"Yeah, he's been ill. He hasn't trained really," Arteta said. "So we didn't know whether he was going to be fit, so he made a big effort to be available today.

"The doctor was brilliant as well to guide us, to give us the best opportunity as well to be in the best possible condition. So he's managed to play a few minutes, but the longer the game went he was going to fatigue and risk an injury. And we didn't want to take that risk."