Mikel Arteta has provided the latest on the fitness of Declan Rice, Riccardo Calafiori and Oleksandr Zinchenko ahead of Arsenal’s Premier League clash with Crystal Palace.
Rice came off just after the hour of last weekend’s 0-0 draw with Everton after suffering from an ongoing issue. “With Declan I had to take him off because he was feeling something,” he said. “He has been with a little niggle for the last week or so. He asked to be subbed in that moment, so we have to do it”
The England international was then omitted from the squad entirely as Arsenal secured their place in the Carabao Cup semi finals with a dramatic 3-2 win over Palace in midweek. Riccardo Calafiori has been missing for over two weeks with a muscle problem.
Oleksandr Zinchenko has also been absent for four matches after missing out on the 1-1 draw with Fulham earlier this month. Now though it seems that all three are set to be available for the trip to Selhurst Park.
"They are both available to be in the squad," he said of Rice and Calafiori. "Zinchenko probably available as well."
It was confirmed meanwhile that Takehiro Tomiyasu will miss out once again with a knee issue. Ben White is also a long term absentee for the Gunners with respected knee injuries. Neto will return to the squad however after being cuptied for the Carabao Cup clash in midweek.
Join the football.london Arsenal WhatsApp channel
Arsenal Manager Mikel Arteta, Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Jesus with the Arsenal Therapy Dog Win during the Arsenal Men's team group shoot at London Colney on September 18, 2023
Join our Arsenal WhatsApp channel and get all the latest breaking news, opinion, podcasts and in-depth stories from football.london's dedicated Arsenal writers straight to your phone!
By following this free service you will be the first to know the news from the Emirates Stadium as it happens, when it happens.
To join our dedicated Arsenal channel, all you have to do is click this link and you can join thousands of others following our Gunners coverage!
If you're curious, you can check out our privacy policy here.