Declan Rice has sent a clear message after he was captured in Arsenal training gear during their media event at Emirates Stadium on Wednesday with doubt surrounding his availability due to a muscle injury.
The England international was absent from the squad that drew 2-2 with Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday afternoon and Arteta's update in the aftermath hinted his season could be over. "I think he is struggling," the Arsenal boss said when asked for an update. "It does not look good."
Having been eliminated from the Champions League at the semi-final stage by Paris Saint-Germain earlier this month, the Gunners are no longer competing for a trophy this season, but there is still something on the line for their final two Premier League games.
Just one win from their last six matches in the league means they are still yet to officially seal a spot in next season's Champions League.
To not finish in the top five, every result would have to against Arsenal and while that is extremely unlikely, second place is far from guaranteed especially considering their next fixture.
This Sunday, Arsenal face third-placed Newcastle United on home soil with the visitors having the chance to go above Mikel Arteta's side if they win.
As the Magpies have already beaten Arsenal three times this season, having Rice back available for such a big game will come as a huge boost. The likelihood of that scenario playing out also looks to have increased with the 26-year-old spotted wearing his training kit on Wednesday.
Leandro Trossard, who went off with a potential hamstring issue at the weekend, was also present at the event with it understood both will be assessed before a decision is made on their availability for the weekend.
For the first time in three months, Kai Havertz was also spotted in an Arsenal training session. Jurrien Timber and Gabriel Magalhaes meanwhile, were also there but in normal clothes which suggests the Dutchmen could be joining the latter in being absent for the remainder of the season.
Following a number of injury hints, Rice sent a clear message on social media with it also being his first since missing the Liverpool game through injury.
In a photo of him and Riccardo Calafiori, he wrote to Instagram: "@richycala [red heart and fingers crossed emoji]." The reason for the heart is quite clear but the other emoji being included is certainly interesting with it perhaps the midfielder being hopeful he can play again this season.
If he is unable to return for the Newcastle clash, featuring on the final day away at Southampton is a possibility but Arteta may not risk him if Champions League football for next season is wrapped up.
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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
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