Mikel Arteta provides worrying Declan Rice fitness update ahead of Arsenal v Chelsea

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has issued an update on the fitness of star midfielder Declan Rice ahead of their Premier League clash with Chelsea. The England international did not feature as the Gunners fell to a narrow 1-0 defeat against Serie A champions Inter Milan in the UEFA Champions League this midweek.

Formerly of West Ham United, the club's record signing, Rice, has been an ever-present for the Gunners since joining them in the summer of 2023. The versatile midfielder had hardly missed games through injury but was surprisingly absent from the travelling party to Italy with a toe problem.

Mikel Arteta held his traditional pre-match press conference ahead of the game to give the team news ahead of the weekend. The manager revealed that Rice has yet to join the team in training and remains doubtful for the game at Stamford Bridge.

“Declan Rice has not trained yet and we still don’t know if he will be available against Chelsea,” he said (via Fabrizio Romano).

Declan Rice has featured nine times in the Premier League for the Gunners this season, providing one assist and getting sent off once. He has also played three times in the UEFA Champions League and once in the Carabao Cup this season.

Rice will be keen to return to full fitness ahead of his side's trip across the capital to Chelsea, the club where he began his football journey. The 25-year-old found the back of the net in the reverse fixture last season as he helped Arsenal come from behind to draw 2-2 at Stamford Bridge in October 2023.

Chelsea star doubtful for Arsenal Premier League clash

Chelsea midfielder Cole Palmer is a doubt for his side's Premier League meeting with city rivals Arsenal on Sunday. The Blues' head coach Enzo Maresca informed the same in his press conference ahead of the clash at Stamford Bridge.

Palmer had been the recipient of a dangerous tackle from Manchester United star Lisandro Martinez last weekend, which kept him out of training for most of the week. Maresca revealed that the 22-year-old is yet to begin training despite having most of the week off, but hopes to have him for at least one session.

“He’s getting better, (just because) he can walk and have dinner it doesn’t mean he is completely fit but we still have two days to prepare the game. Hopefully we can have him for the session at least Saturday and then we’ll take a decision,” he said (via Independent).

Cole Palmer has been in scintillating form for the Blues this season, with seven goals and five assists to his name in the league. The former Manchester City man was on the scoresheet against Arsenal at Stamford Bridge last season and will be keen to feature once more.