Daily Cannon
·6 November 2024
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Yahoo sportsDaily Cannon
·6 November 2024
LONDON, ENGLAND: Declan Rice and Ben White of Arsenal look dejected after the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Liverpool FC at Emirates Stadium on October 27, 2024. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice was absent from training on Tuesday morning, and he subsequently missed out on the squad trip to Italy later in the day.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Mikel Arteta confirmed that the decision was taken due to injury.
“Declan unfortunately has picked up an injury against Newcastle,” Arteta said. “He was able to finish the game but he wasn’t feeling good in the last few days so we have to assess him on Thursday to understand whether he will be fit or not for the weekend.”
BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND: Declan Rice of Arsenal runs with the ball whilst under pressure from Antoine Semenyo of AFC Bournemouth during the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Arsenal FC at Vitality Stadium on October 19, 2024. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
Pressed further on Rice’s absence, Arteta revealed that the issue was with the player’s foot.
“It was a knock so it’s a problem with his foot,” Arteta confirmed. “He wasn’t comfortable with it so at the moment he’s not fit.”
The only positive update comes from Fabrizio Romano, who writes that Rice didn’t travel as a precautionary measure. Romano claims the midfielder is not expected to have any serious or long-term injury, but Arsenal didn’t want to take any risks.
As per Arteta’s comments, Romano confirmed that Rice will be assessed for the Chelsea game on Sunday.
LONDON, ENGLAND: Declan Rice of Arsenal breaks away from Facundo Buonanotte of Leicester City during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Leicester City FC at Emirates Stadium on September 28, 2024. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
Rice had been almost ever-present in Arteta’s team so far this season, playing every game in the Champions League and only missing one match through suspension in the Premier League.
The only other match Rice didn’t start this season was the League Cup fourth round against Preston North End.
Arsenal will now have to make do without him for a huge away game against one of Europe’s top teams in Inter Milan.
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