Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta revealed he remains uncertain about Declan Rice’s availability for the upcoming Premier League showdown against Chelsea.
Rice, the club’s record signing, missed Arsenal’s recent Champions League loss to Inter Milan, sparking rumors of a broken toe.
Despite the injury, reports suggest Rice may be prepared to play through the pain to help Arsenal recover from recent setbacks.
“I have to be very vague on that one because there is no clarity on his fitness for the weekend,” Arteta explained.
“He hasn’t trained yet, and we’re unsure if he’ll be available.“
Arteta also gave a more optimistic update regarding Kai Havertz and Mikel Merino, both of whom left the pitch before the final whistle in the midweek match.
“We’ll wait to see how they react. Kai’s injury was a nasty cut, and Mikel wasn’t feeling well, so we made a substitution at half-time,” Arteta shared.
In a boost for Arsenal, captain Martin Odegaard made a brief return during the Inter match.
Odegaard, who has been sidelined with an ankle injury since September, might be ready to make a full start.
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Arteta expressed cautious optimism, stating,
“Everybody that is in the squad will be fit and available to start. With Martin, we’ll decide if it’s too soon.”
The manager emphasized Odegaard’s significance to the team, noting his influence and leadership on the field.
“Having Martin available is huge for us. He knows his responsibility and the impact he’s had over the past few years.”
“It’s about the collective, with everyone taking ownership.”
Arteta acknowledged the challenges of an injury-hit season but expressed confidence in his squad’s adaptability.
“This season, we’ve had to adjust frequently due to injuries. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t, but the team is learning to adapt.”
As Arsenal prepares for the crucial encounter against Chelsea, fans hope the return of key players like Odegaard, along with potential contributions from Rice, Havertz, and Merino, can help reverse their recent form and reignite their Premier League and European campaigns.
