Declan Rice faces a race to be fit for Arsenal's Premier League clash at Bournemouth on Saturday after missing the midweek win over Aston Villa with a knee injury. Manager Mikel Arteta said the midfielder was not yet ready but could still feature, depending on how he responds in training.
“Not yet, and we have another session today. Let's see how he comes today and how that's feeling, but it was too early that game for him,” Arteta said on Friday. Rice sustained the injury during the victory over Brighton and played the full 90 minutes, but swelling meant he was unable to face Villa.
Arteta confirmed that defenders Riccardo Calafiori and Cristhian Mosquera remain unavailable. Calafiori was injured in the warm-up before the Brighton match, while Mosquera has been sidelined since being forced off against Brentford in early December.
Despite Rice's absence, Arsenal comfortably beat Aston Villa with Mikel Merino and Martin Zubimendi impressing in midfield. The win extended Arsenal's lead at the top of the table to four points over Manchester City, who were held to a goalless draw at Sunderland.
Arsenal travel to Bournemouth on Saturday evening, 24 hours before City host Chelsea. A victory would move the Gunners seven points clear of Pep Guardiola's side ahead of that fixture.
