Arsenal's injury woes don't appear to be going away as Declan Rice is the latest concern for Mikel Arteta and his squad, going off in the second half of the game against Brentford.
Arsenal star Declan Rice appeared to pick up an injury against Brentford before being subbed off
Arsenal star Declan Rice appeared to pick up an injury against Brentford before being subbed off
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Image: (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images))
Arsenal have been handed another injury scare as Declan Rice is the latest concern for the side, after being forced off in their clash with Brentford at the Emirates Stadium. The midfielder went down in the second half, gesturing to medical staff that he was suffering from a calf problem.
It came in the final ten minutes of the match, as went chasing after another three points in their pursuit of the title. Rice wasn't the only injury concern in the game, with Cristhian Mosquera substituted off in the first half with what appeared to be an ankle issue after jumping for a header.
It adds yet more problems on Mikel Arteta's plate, with the extent of the duo's issues currently unknown. The likes of Gabriel Magalhaes, William Saliba, , and Kai Havertz are all out of action with their own injury concerns, ramping up the worry surrounding absences within the team.
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That's just shortly after several high-profile returns for Arsenal, who welcomed back Martin Odegaard, Noni Madueke, Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus, and Viktor Gyokeres recently. It's not an unfamiliar feeling for Arteta, who suffered similar concerns with his squad last season, which ultimately cost them the chance to win silverware.
Speaking about last season and how it has prepared the team for this current campaign, Arteta recently said: "Yes, because this season has been the worst in some areas, especially in the front line, and now what's happening with the back line. But we learn and we were able to put together a squad that is much more reliable and has more options.
"We learned from the past as well that we have to use players in different positions and they have to be able to fulfil different roles if we want to compete at this level and the example of Mikel [Merino] that I was expressing before is the best one, probably."
Rice's potential absence could be the biggest possible blow of the lot, given his growing importance within the team. The midfielder has consistently been among the top performers in big matches, both this season and last.
LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 30: Declan Rice of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Arsenal at Stamford Bridge on November 30, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)
The 26-year-old has made 20 appearances so far this season across all competitions, with two goals and six assists to his name. While his pinpoint accurate corners and free-kicks have been a central part to his output, his overall quality, energy, and leadership have been just as important.
It means Rice's £105m transfer fee is rarely brought up in discussion, such are his performance levels. It was something Arteta was asked about before the Brentford match, and whether he had exceeded all expectations placed on him before making the switch to north London.
He said: "I think he’s very close to what we believed that he could bring to the club, to the team and the way he could grow, personally as well. I think he fully deserves it, I think he’s been incredibly consistent throughout the last two years, last season again. In big matches, in big moments, he’s stepping up, which is a massive thing. You want to fulfil that role at a big club, and I’m delighted that he got it."
Arsenal will be hoping that the injury isn't too serious, with another busy few weeks of action ahead of them. A win over Brentford, with goals from Mikel Merino and , was just the start of the next run of fixtures that the Gunners have to deal with.
are up next in the Premier League, before attention turns back to the and a clash against Club Brugge.
There will be more to follow on this breaking news story and will bring you the very latest updates, pictures and video as soon as possible.
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