Declan Rice could miss Chelsea clash as Mikel Arteta admits Arsenal star ‘wasn’t feeling good the last few days’
DECLAN RICE is a doubt for Arsenal’s clash against Chelsea next Sunday.
Mikel Arteta has confirmed the midfielder will need to be assessed for the weekend clash.
It comes after Rice, 25, did not travel with the squad for the Gunners’ Champions League clash with Inter Milan on Wednesday.
The £105million star played for the full 90 minutes against Newcastle on Saturday, before missing training on Tuesday morning.
Speaking to reporters before the trip to Italy, Arteta said: “Declan unfortunately picked up an injury against Newcastle.
“He was able to finish and he wasn’t feeling good the last few days.
“We’ll have to assess him on Thursday and see if he’s ready for Chelsea.”
It is a potentially huge blow to Arsenal given their already stacked medical room.
Club captain Martin Odegaard remains sidelined, while Riccardo Calafiori and Takehiro Tomiyasu will continue to be absent with knee injuries.
Kieran Tierney is another who remains sidelined as he is yet to return to full training.
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Arsenal now sit below Chelsea in the Premier League table after Enzo Maresca‘s side rescued a point in a 1-1 draw with Manchester United on Sunday.
The North London side were also rocked this week by the news that Edu was stepping down from his position of sporting director.
The Invincibles star is set to join Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis’ footballing empire in a triple-your-money deal.
The news was confirmed in a statement on Monday evening.
Arsenal and Edu resignation statement in full
Edu Gaspar has today resigned from his position as our Sporting Director.
Edu, our former player and Invincible, re-joined us in the role of Technical Director in July 2019. He progressed through the club and was promoted to Sporting Director in November 2022, where he oversaw men’s, women’s and academy football.
We thank Edu for the part he has played in our renewed football strategy and driving the club forward with the values of Arsenal in his heart.
Edu said: “This was an incredibly hard decision to make.
“Arsenal has given me the opportunity to work with so many amazing people and the chance to be a part of something so special in the club’s history. It has been a special journey and I thank Stan, Josh, Tim and Lord Harris for the support they’ve given me.
“I’ve loved working with so many great colleagues across our men’s, women’s and academy teams, especially Mikel, who has become a great friend.
“Now it is time to pursue a different challenge. Arsenal will always remain in my heart. I wish the club and its supporters only good things and all the very best.”
Our Co-Chair, Josh Kroenke, added: “We respect Edu’s decision and thank him for his immense contribution and dedication to drive the club forward.
“Everyone at the club wishes him well. We are all so fond of him and the positive energy he brings to everything and everyone.
“Change and evolution is a part of our club. We remain focused on our strategy and winning major trophies. Our succession plan will reflect this continued ambition.”
Edu's 35 signings ranked
EDU oversaw the arrival of 35 players during his time at the club.
Some worked out better than others.
Here, SunSport ranks them from worst to best…
35. Nicolas Pepe (£72m)
34. Willian (Free)
33. David Luiz (£8m)
32. Runar Alex Runarsson (£2m)
31. Mat Ryan (Loan)
30. Fabio Vieira (£34m)
29. Neto (Loan)
28. Marquinhos (£3m)
27. Nuno Tavares (£8m)
26. Matt Turner (£5m)
25. Cedric Soares (Free)
24. Albert Sambi Lokonga (£17m)
23. Pablo Mari (£5m)
22. Dani Ceballos (Loan)
21. Raheem Sterling (Loan)
20. Jakub Kiwior (£17m)
19. Jorginho (£12m)
18. Riccardo Calafiori (£42m)
17. Kieran Tierney (£25m)
16. Takehiro Tomiyasu (£20m)
15. Mikel Merino (£28m)
14. Aaron Ramsdale (£24m)
13. Oleksandr Zinchenko (£30m)
12. Gabriel Jesus (£45m)
11. Kai Havertz (£65m)
10. Jurrien Timber (£38m)
9. Gabriel Martinelli (£6m)
8. David Raya (£27m)
7. Leandro Trossard (£20m)
6. Thomas Partey (£45m)
5. Ben White (£50m)
4. Gabriel Magalhaes (£27m)
3. Declan Rice (£105m)
2. William Saliba (£27m)
1. Martin Odegaard (£30m)
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