Mikel Arteta Shares Worrying Declan Rice News Ahead Of Arsenal's Trip To Bournemouth

Declan Rice could miss a second consecutive game in the Premier League (PL) after being out of the squad for Arsenal’s 4-1 smashing of Aston Villa at home earlier this week. Manager Mikel Arteta on Friday said the swelling in Rice’s knee after the impact injury, suffered in the 2-1 win over Brighton, has yet to subside and the Gunners will have to wait for the final training session before the match to determine his availability.

Rice has been Arsenal’s best player this season, marshalling their midfield with leadership and aplomb. He was dearly missed when the team conceded transition after transition in the first half against Villa. Small tactical tweaks from Arteta at half-time and an injury to Villa’s midfield maestro, Amadou Onana, helped

the hosts take the handbrakes off and hit four goals in about half an hour, their sheet dirtied by Ollie Watkins’ late goal.

“Well, not yet. We have another session today,” Arteta said when asked about the swelling. “Let’s see how he comes today and how that’s feeling, but that game (Villa) was too early for him.”

Arsenal are at the top of the table, four points clear of Manchester City. However, at the press conference, Arteta was reminded that the previous five times in the Premier League era when they have ended the calendar year on top of the table, they have failed to win the title.

Arteta said he wasn’t aware of the stat before adding, “Let’s break it.”

The Spaniard also said his players were extremely motivated to win the first League title for the club since 2004.

“That’s what they transmit every single day when they’re with us, training or in every match. You can see the desire, you can see the energy they put in, how much they want it, and that’s what we need. It’s still five months to go, take it day by day, enjoy that process of being where we are and go for it,” he said.

“It can always be better. There are things to improve obviously and the only thing we know is that it’s always the next game and we know how tough it is for every opponent to beat them.”