Declan Rice missed training on Tuesday and is doubtful for Arsenal’s Champions League quarter-finals against Sporting CP.
Manager Mikel Arteta said Rice would be at his best for Wednesday night’s last-eight clash, but the midfielder’s injury will be a blow to the Gunners in their biggest week of the season.
Arsenal have to finish the job on Wednesday against Sporting CP, with the Gunners leading 1-0 on aggregate, but there is also a huge Premier League clash with Manchester City on Sunday, billed as the ‘title decider’ and broadcast live on Sky Sports.
“We have to wait until tomorrow morning to see how some of the players are doing and make the right decision,” Arteta said on Tuesday.
Asked about Rice’s injury, Arteta said: “I don’t want to do that. We’ll have to wait and see tomorrow. He didn’t train.”
However, Rice appeared awkwardly landing and limping in the second half against Bournemouth, which Arteta admitted was “part of the problem”.
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Mikel Arteta answered a question about Arsenal’s uncertainty towards the end of the season.
“He has played a lot of games,” Arteta said. “That’s part of the problem, but he’s certainly going to do his best to be with us.”
Arsenal have also been without Julian Timber, Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Riccardo Calafioli in recent weeks, and none of them took part in Tuesday morning’s open training session.
Saka has not featured for Arsenal since picking up an injury against England, but Arteta hopes he will be back within “days, not weeks”.
“It’s something he’s had for a while, an Achilles problem.
“No, this is progress. I hope it’s a matter of days rather than weeks. It’s about putting more load on him and seeing where he is.”
Piero Hincapie and Eberechi Eze were only fit enough to be on the bench for Saturday’s game against Bournemouth, but both took part in training.
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Tim Sherwood and Sam Brits have joined the Sky Sports News fan club and take a closer look at why Arsenal’s nervous mentality could be a key factor in whether they win the Premier League title.
Who can replace Rice?
Sam Blitz of Sky Sports:
This is the last news Arsenal wanted to hear – more injury problems. But this may be the most troubling injury concern.
Not only is Declan Rice one of Arsenal’s best players and an irreplaceable cog in Mikel Arteta’s system, he also has no back-up options. Mikel Merino, Rice’s backup midfielder, is also out with a long-term injury.
So what will happen to Arsenal if Rice misses the Champions League quarter-final second leg?
The only option Arsenal have as a sitting midfielder is Christian Norgaard, but he is seen as a back-up to Martin Zvimendi rather than a replacement for the more attacking Reis.
Kai Havertz could continue in midfield alongside Zvimendi and Ebelesi Eze, but that would be a very attacking set-up and could expose Zvimendi, who lacks confidence at the moment.
There are other options as well. Leandro Trossard has shown he can play in midfield and even started in last season’s Premier League match away at the Etihad Stadium, but was sent off before half-time. Miles Lewis-Skelly is another player who could fill Rice’s role.
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Sky Sports’ Sam Blitz looks at the impact of Manchester City’s Carabao Cup final victory on Arsenal and whether the blueprint for how to beat the Gunners has been revealed.
Either way, it’s not ideal preparation for a crucial week not only in Arsenal’s season but also in Mikel Arteta’s tenure at the club.
Arsenal remaining games
April 15: Sporting CP (H), Champions League quarter-final second leg, 8pm kick-off
April 19: Man City (A), Premier League, live on Sky Sports, 4.30pm kick-off
April 25: Newcastle (H), Premier League, live on Sky Sports, 5.30pm kick-off
April 29: Barcelona vs. Atlético Madrid (A), potential Champions League semi-final first leg, 8pm kick-off
May 2: Fulham (H), Premier League, live on Sky Sports, 5.30pm kick-off
May 5: Barcelona vs. Atlético Madrid (H), potential Champions League semi-final second leg, kick-off at 8pm
May 10: West Ham (A), Premier League, live on Sky Sports, 4.30pm kick-off
May 17: Burnley (H), Premier League, kick-off TBA
May 24: Crystal Palace (A), Premier League, 4pm kick-off
May 30: Possible Champions League final
