Arsenal have been dealt a significant setback ahead of their pivotal Premier League encounter with Aston Villa, with key midfielder Declan Rice ruled out due to a knee injury.
Injury Blow for Title Challengers
Declan Rice picked up the knock during Arsenal's 2-1 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday. Despite managing to complete the match, subsequent assessment has led to a decision to omit the England international from the squad facing Unai Emery's high-flying Villa on Tuesday evening.
The club's medical team had worked to get the 26-year-old ready for the fixture at the Emirates Stadium. However, the choice has been made to avoid any risk of aggravating the problem, with Rice now expected to be sidelined only in the short term.
Fitness Record Makes Absence Notable
Rice's absence will be a peculiar sight for Arsenal supporters, given his remarkable durability. Since his £100 million move from West Ham United in the summer of 2023, he has missed just three Premier League games for the Gunners.
His availability was similarly impressive during his time at West Ham. Across his final five seasons as a first-team regular in East London, Rice was absent for only 13 top-flight matches in total, a figure which includes occasions where he was simply not selected.
High-Stakes Clash and Squad News
The timing of the injury is far from ideal for manager Mikel Arteta. The match carries substantial weight in the title race, with Arsenal leading Villa by just three points. A defeat, in extreme circumstances, could see them deposed from the summit, though their goal difference is superior by 12.
Villa arrive in formidable form, having strung together 11 consecutive wins across all competitions. There may be some positive news for Arsenal, with the potential returns of Jurrien Timber – left out against Brighton as a precaution – and Ben White.
Arteta will be desperate to navigate this period without his midfield linchpin, especially with the knowledge that rivals Manchester City traditionally strengthen in the second half of the season. The squad remains without several players including Kai Havertz, Cristhian Mosquera, Riccardo Calafiori, and Max Dowman, despite the recent return of Gabriel Jesus from a long-term ACL issue.
