Mikel Arteta has confirmed Declan Rice has joined Arsenal’s list of injury doubts ahead of their Champions League showdown with Sporting CP.
The England international played the complete 90 minutes away in Lisbon last week and again in Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to Bournemouth within the Premier League.
However the midfielder was among the many clutch of Arsenal stars to Tuesday morning’s training session ahead of the visit of the Portuguese giants.
Arsenal lead 1-0 on the halfway point of their quarter-final tie ahead of the return leg in north London on Wednesday night.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Arteta confirmed he continues to be waiting to learn if a number of names shall be ready with a season-defining clash with Manchester City also waiting this weekend.
Arteta refused disclosed any details over Rice’s absence, suggesting the club will make a late decision on his fitness.
Asked if he could disclose anything specific on Rice’s issue, Arteta said: ‘I don’t want to try this. We may have to attend and see tomorrow but obviously he was unable to coach.’
Asked if his issue was related to an ungainly landing within the Bournemouth game, the Arsenal boss added: ‘He has played lots of games which is an element of the problem but he’ll do all the pieces he can to be with us tomorrow.’
Arteta gives Saka, Timber and Odegaard update
Rice was one in all five players not seen in training this morning.
Bukayo Saka has not played in Arsenal’s three games because the end of the international break. While Arteta had hoped to have him back last Saturday against Bournemouth, the winger didn’t recuperate in time.
‘It’s something he has been carrying for some time,’ Arteta said. ‘It was an Achilles issue. It’s progression and hopefully it’s a matter of days and never weeks but he has to see when he’s loading more, how he responds to that form of progression.’
Jurrien Timber meanwhile has missed the last five games, not featuring because the mid-March victory over Everton.
‘We now have to attend till tomorrow morning to see how a number of the boys are.’
When asked if Timber or Saka may very well be back, Arteta added: ‘Perhaps one in all them, let’s see.’
Martin Odegaard has had an injury-hit begin to 2026, missing 12 games through muscle and knee problems. The Norway international was back within the starting XI against Southampton and Sporting but was sidelined again last week.
His national team manager Stale Solbakken revealed last week the midfielder had suffered a ‘minor setback’ with Arsenal still to offer a transparent update on his condition.
Riccardo Calafiori played the complete 90 against Sporting last week but was one other who sat out of the Bournemouth game.
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