Injured Declan Rice and Leandro Trossard join big guns on the sidelines – while Bukayo Saka’s also struggling… with Mikel Arteta short of options and a whiff of an Arsenal injury crisis

• Arsenal were dealt major blow after Declan Rice was forced off against Spurs 
• Arsenal 2-2 Tottenham: Honours end even in a pulsating north London derby
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Someone call a doctor and send them directly to Arsenal.

Mikel Arteta’s options are rapidly diminishing; Declan Rice and Leandro Trossard the latest to join an injury list that is burgeoning.

Add those to Jurrien Timber (knee), Thomas Partey (groin) and Gabriel Martinelli (hamstring) and, all of a sudden, there’s a whiff of crisis in the air at the club’s London Colney HQ.

The irony of it all won’t be lost on Arteta. Club doctor Gary O’Driscoll, who has spent a period on gardening leave after accepting the role as head of sports medicine at Manchester United earlier this year, is gone and his successor is yet to be confirmed.

O’Driscoll, of course, has his own problems; Arsenal’s injury concerns pale into insignificance in comparison to United’s at the moment.

Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice was substituted at half-time because of back ‘discomfort’

Leandro Trossard limped off during the final training session ahead of Sunday’s derby

Nevertheless, Arteta could really do with some medical respite.

Here at a breathless North London derby; £105million summer signing Rice was substituted at half-time with what Arteta described as back ‘discomfort’, although the midfielder emerging for the second half with strapping on his left calf suggests he is suffering with additional ailments.

As Rice rose for an aerial challenge towards the end of the first-half, the grimace as he landed provided an indication of what was to come.

If we were looking for clues on the severity then the scowl on the former West Ham captain’s face accompanied by intermittent shakes off his head as he trudged off at full-time weren’t positive ones.

Arteta knows the feeling. Having lost Trossard, who limped off during the final training session ahead of this clash, Arteta could have done without another fitness blow.

The Belgian complained of tightness towards the bottom of his hamstring on Saturday and was immediately withdrawn from the session and sent for a scan.

There is hope Trossard won’t miss a long stretch but following the hamstring injury suffered by the man he has replaced in the team – Gabriel Martinelli, who limped off against Everton last week – it’s another headache for Arteta.

However, it is Rice that will truly concern Arteta in the aftermath of this 2-2 draw.

The distinct lack of control in Arsenal’s midfield without the England star was glaringly obvious in the second half.

It was no surprise that Tottenham’s second equaliser arrived after Jorginho, Rice’s direct replacement at half-time, lost possession in midfield.

With Partey not expected back until after the next international break, Arteta may have to muddle through for the time being.

‘I love him and we love him, errors are part of football,’ Arteta said of Jorginho after the game.

Bukayo Saka continues to manage an Achilles complaint that dogged him last season 

He’ll love him even more if the Italian can help hold the fort in the absence of Partey and Rice, should the 24-year-old miss a prolonged spell.

Arsenal have spent heavily in preparation for their return to the Champions League. With that in mind, there will be little sympathy from elsewhere – indeed Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou will be concerned by his own injury problems following this bruising encounter after Brennan Johnson (hamstring) and James Maddison (knee) limped off.

But for Arteta, it’s a precarious situation. This week’s Carabao Cup clash against Brentford will, at least, provide an opportunity to rotate.

However, from Saturday onwards the injuries are likely to leave the Gunners squad worryingly exposed if those who are currently out aren’t available.

Bournemouth away on Saturday, Lens in France in the Champions League on October 3 and then the visit of Manchester City to the Emirates five days later.

Conceivably City could be 10 points clear by the time they meet on October 8.

That’s the brutal reality of life in the fast-lane – no-one has time for injury excuses regardless of how valid they may be.

But the relentless intensity of top-level football every three or four days will take its toll.

Rice and Trossard will be assessed over the next 48 hours in hope that they aren’t missing for too long.

Martinelli, according to sources could be available for next weekend, but Arsenal medics know the risks of rushing hamstring injury victims back too soon.

Mikel Arteta’s options are rapidly diminishing due to a growing injury list at Arsenal

Bukayo Saka continues to manage an Achilles complaint that dogged him last season and looked uncomfortable at full-time here.

When asked about whether his squad is stretched, Arteta responded: ‘It was already a test today because we missed five big players.

‘But it’s what we have. As well, it gives opportunities to the other ones. We have a game every three days and that’s the level we have to show so go for it.’

That’s fighting talk. For now, Arsenal must fight in spite of injuries.

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