Mikel Arteta says he’s not sure if Declan Rice will be available for Arsenal’s visit to Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
The midfielder missed the game against Inter Milan in midweek due to a ‘foot problem’, which was later reported to be a broken toe. As you’d expect, the Arsenal boss wasn’t particularly forthcoming on the nature of the injury, saying that was a conversation for the doctors, but he did reveal Rice hasn’t yet trained since the loss at Newcastle last weekend.
“I have to be very vague on that one because there’s no clarity whether he’s going to be fit or not for the weekend,” he said.
“What I can say is that he hasn’t trained yet and it’s not clear whether he’s going to be available or not to play.”
The manager was also asked about the chances of Kai Havertz and Mikel Merino making the game. The former went off with a head injury, with the latter taken off at half-time, with Arteta saying, “Kai had quite a nasty cut and he could not continue, we had to take him off.
“With Mikel, since the day before, to be fair, he wasn’t feeling great and we decided to stop him at half-time.”
The game in Italy saw the return of skipper Martin Odegaard, and the Norwegian could be in line for his first start since August, as the Gunners look to shake off a poor run of results.
Speaking about his chances of doing that, Arteta said, “Everybody that is in the squad is going to be fit and available to start the game.
“So then it will be a decision whether it’s too early or it’s the right moment for him to make that step again.”
Raya White Saliba Gabriel Timber Partey Jorginho Ødegaard Saka Havertz Martinelli…
should do if Rice is not fit.
Zinchenko, Kiwior, Merino, Trossard, Jesus, Sterling and Nwaneri are options from the bench.
Hopefully sterling won’t be because if he comes on we’ll be deducted points
I’d give Jesus a start over Havertz. Get some more dribble threat and change things up a bit – give Jesus a bit of confidence too and see if he can ignite the old partnership with Martinelli.
Vaguest injury update yet? I love it Mikel, keep em guessing. I’m happy enough to find out on match day if it means Maresca pulling his hair out… oh wait
With Merino not feeling fine, it’s gonna be a tricky one for the boss who to patner with Partey in the midfield, it’s looking like it will be Partey and Jorginho, but this pairing is not filling me with confidence
I’m so so tired
I would be very surprised if Havertz and Rice play. Havertz possibly with his head strapped up. Why would he risk Rice with a broken toe? Partey at 6 and Merino at 8 will suffice and its not like Rice has been great anyway this season. Our problem is with Martinelli’s productivity and confidence. We have next to nothing coming down the left side. Not much on right at the moment either it has to be said. I just think he needs a spell out of the team and alternate between Jesus and Sterling for a bit. Sterling must be… Read more »