A shadow of doubt hangs over Declan Rice’s availability for Arsenal’s Saturday clash against Bournemouth. The midfield powerhouse was conspicuously absent from the club’s final training session, fueling speculation about his fitness.
Rice already sat out Arsenal’s dominant victory over Aston Villa earlier this week, sidelined by a minor knee issue. Manager Mikel Arteta revealed the problem stemmed from a kick sustained during the previous match against Brighton, causing swelling that prevented his participation.
Arteta remained cautious when questioned about Rice’s status in a pre-match press conference. He emphasized the need to assess Rice’s condition following Friday’s training session, acknowledging it was too soon to make a definitive call after the Villa game.
Further compounding concerns, images released from Friday’s training session confirmed Rice’s continued absence. He wasn’t among the players preparing for the Bournemouth encounter, raising questions about his recovery progress.
Riccardo Calafiori and Cristhian Mosquera were also missing from the training group. Calafiori has already missed the last two matches with a knock picked up before the Brighton game, while Mosquera continues his rehabilitation from an ankle injury.
Kepa Arrizabalaga and young talent Ethan Nwaneri were also not pictured in the training session, adding to the list of players potentially unavailable for selection this weekend.
Arsenal currently enjoy a comfortable four-point lead over Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table. City’s recent stumble against Sunderland presents Arsenal with a golden opportunity to extend that advantage.
A win against Bournemouth on Saturday could push Arsenal seven points clear, putting significant pressure on City ahead of their Sunday match against Chelsea. The stakes are high as Arteta’s squad aims to solidify their position at the league’s summit.
