Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has delivered an update on Declan Rice ahead of Saturday’s Premier League showdown against Bournemouth.
Rice missed Arsenal's 4-1 win over Aston Villa on Tuesday with a knee injury sustained in the victory over Brighton last weekend.
That was the first Premier League game Rice had been absent for all season, though the injury blow was softened by the return of Jurrien Timber.
Following the Villa clash, Arteta revealed the swelling on Rice’s knee would have to ease in order for the midfielder to be fit for the weekend’s clash against Bournemouth.
Speaking on Friday morning, the Gunners boss responded when asked if the swelling had gone done: "Well not yet.
“We have another session today, let's see how he comes today and how that's feeling. It was too early [against Villa] for him."
“No, no, no, no, he managed to that,” Arteta said.
“That’s normal. Sometimes you get a hit and throughout the game with adrenaline and because you are warm you are able to sustain that.
“And then the body reacts and it reacted probably more than we expected after it unfortunately. That’s where we are.”
Arteta also confirmed that Riccardo Calafiori and Cristhian Mosquera will not be available for selection against the Cherries.
Mosquera has been out of action since sustaining an ankle injury in last month’s 2-0 win over Brentford, while Calafiori was a late withdrawal from the starting line-up against Brighton.
The Gunners have been able to welcome Ben White back from a hamstring issue earlier than expected. Furthermore, their defensive concerns have eased with Timber and Gabriel featuring against Villa.
