Arteta Sweats On Rice Fitness As Arsenal Face Defensive Absences

Mikel Arteta has provided a mixed fitness update for Arsenal ahead of their first match of 2026, with doubts over Declan Rice and confirmed absences in defence before Saturday’s trip to Bournemouth.

Rice was absent from Tuesday’s emphatic 4-1 win over Aston Villa due to knee inflammation and remains a doubt for the south-coast clash. Arteta said the England midfielder has yet to return to full training since that game, with a decision to be made after Friday’s session.

“We have another session today, let’s see how he comes today and how that’s feeling, but [the Villa game] was too early for him,” Arteta said at the Sobha Realty Training Centre.

“Sometimes you get a hit and, throughout the game, you are able, with adrenaline and because you are warm, able to sustain that, and then the body reacts. It reacted probably more than we expected, unfortunately, and that’s where we are.”

Arsenal will definitely be without defenders Riccardo Calafiori and Cristhian Mosquera, both of whom Arteta confirmed are unavailable. Their absence further tests the Gunners’ defensive depth as they look to maintain momentum in the Premier League.

Reflecting more broadly on injuries, Arteta struck a measured tone, suggesting setbacks can also be a chance for growth.

“The first thing reaction is what can we do better? The second thing is the reality of the sport that we play,” he said. “But looking back in the last three seasons, we have had less days of injuries than before. So, it’s how you look at it.”

Despite the defensive concerns, there was encouraging news in attack. The win over Villa marked the first time Gabriel Jesus, Viktor Gyokeres and Kai Havertz were all named in a matchday squad together this season, giving Arteta renewed flexibility going forward.

The Arsenal manager welcomed the prospect of a selection dilemma in the final third as the fixture list intensifies.

“It helps the team, it helps every individual. I think that’s what we want, to have the option, with the amount of games we have on the schedule,” he said.

“So far, we haven’t had that option, so I’m looking forward to having everybody on it, everybody performing and being able to change profiles, to change during the game as well and to pick players in the best conditions every time.”

Arsenal face Bournemouth on Saturday looking to build on their Villa Park success, with Arteta hoping late fitness checks swing in his favour.

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