Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka harm replace after pair pressured off vs Real Madrid

Arsenal duo Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka were both forced off with injuries during the Gunners’ 3-0 win over Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-final first leg

Mikel Arteta is breathing easy after Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice’s early exits against Real Madrid, insisting their knocks aren’t a big deal.

The Gunners boss watched his squad dismantle Real with a 3-0 thrashing in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final on Tuesday – and it looks like injury woes won’t tarnish their triumph.

Rice was on fire, delivering two killer free-kicks to put Arsenal ahead in the second half. Mikel Merino then banged in a third from outside the box, handing Arsenal a hefty lead for the return leg in Madrid next week.

Saka gave David Alaba nightmares on Arsenal’s right flank but got subbed off for Leandro Trossard in the 74th minute, just after winning Rice’s second free-kick.

Rice himself made way for Kieran Tierney ten minutes later, post a quick once-over from the physio on the pitch.

Neither England ace seemed too fussed at the time, and Arteta confirmed in his post-match debrief that he’s not sweating over their shape. “I think Dec had an issue with the foot.

“I’m not sure if it was a tackle or what it was and after Bukayo got tackled for the foul, he had a knock and he had to go off,” he explained. “It doesn’t look serious, no,” reports the Mirror.

Arsenal have been handling Saka with care since his comeback from a hamstring injury.

The winger clocked 24 minutes in the 2-1 victory against Fulham, netting the decisive goal, before getting a half-time run out in the 1-1 stalemate with Everton.

On the other hand, Rice has been a constant fixture for the Gunners this season, featuring in 43 games across all tournaments.

He was on fire against Real, coming close to scoring several times before bending in two spectacular free-kicks – marking his first ever in professional football.