Declan Rice was a notable absentee from Arsenal’s matchday squad as they faced Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday, with the club offering no further details beyond the confirmation that he was “injured.”
PARIS, FRANCE - MAY 07: Declan Rice of Arsenal is consoled by teammate Gabriel at full-time following the team's defeat and subsequent elimination after the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Semi Final Second Leg match between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal FC at Parc des Princes on May 07, 2025 in Paris, France. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images
The absence of the 26-year-old midfielder, who has been ever-present in Mikel Arteta’s side since his £105 million move from West Ham United in the summer of 2023 was unexpected.
Speaking ahead of the game, Arteta confirmed that both Rice and Jurrien Timber had failed to recover in time. “Him and Jurrien are not fit, Declan couldn’t even train so he’s injured unfortunately and couldn’t make the game,” the Arsenal manager told reporters.
There was no clarification on the nature or severity of the injury, with the club’s official communication offering only the minimal: “Declan Rice misses out through injury.” Sky Sports added it was “on doctors advice”.
LONDON, ENGLAND: Declan Rice of Arsenal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Semi Final First Leg match between Arsenal FC and Paris Saint-Germain at Emirates Stadium on April 29, 2025. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)
Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images
Since joining Arsenal, Rice has missed just two matches through injury prior to this, both due to a broken toe in November 2024. In fact, his durability has been one of the hallmarks of his career.
He has never suffered a long-term injury and the only other spell out came in 2019 when he missed seven games due to illness while still at West Ham.