Declan Rice was forced off with a calf injury in the second half of Arsenal's 2-0 win against Brentford at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday night
Declan Rice
Losing Declan Rice is a blow for Arsenal(Image: Getty Images)
View 2 Images
Former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy reckons Arsenal's greatest test now lies in managing without Declan Rice. The midfielder seemed to pick up a calf problem during the closing stages of Wednesday's 2-0 victory over Brentford at the Emirates Stadium.
He hobbled off with seven minutes remaining, with Viktor Gyokeres taking his place. Discussing the knock, Mikel Arteta commented: "Obviously it's never good news. Declan had to come off. We don't know. We have to see tomorrow what he's got. He can walk. He cannot play.
"The thing is, he's played a lot of minutes but as well, now we played Wednesday night and we have to play Saturday morning as well."
Arsenal are already battling numerous fitness concerns, with Gabriel Magalhaes, William Saliba, Leandro Trossard and Kai Havertz all on the treatment table.
Rice and Cristhian Mosquera became the most recent casualties after both departed during the Brentford clash.
Speaking on Match of the Day, Murphy highlighted that the Gunners will now face a genuine examination following their recent injury woes.
Declan Rice
Declan Rice was replaced by Viktor Gyokeres against Brentford
View 2 Images
"Brentford actually did well in the second half but Arsenal's strength and depth is really, really good and it's going to be tested now with the injuries we've seen," the 48 year old remarked.
Presenter Gabby Logan then added: "Unbeaten in 18 in all competitions, eight out of ten games with a clean sheet but when you've lost Saliba, Gabriel, Mosquera went off tonight, Rice went off tonight as well.
"This looks like it's going to be one of the most testing periods for them in terms of keeping up that relentlessness and that challenge."
Murphy commended the backline's display under the circumstances, though he highlighted Arsenal face a major test of their depth should Rice be absent against third-placed Aston Villa on Saturday.
"They've covered the defence quite well in recent times when they've had injuries, and I think Saliba, is close to coming back so that's not as big a problem," he added.
"We haven't seen this Arsenal team cope without Rice yet, so if he is injured in the calf is a problem and we'll see how they adapt to that.
"That's going to be a big miss if he is missing for the Aston Villa game on Saturday."
Content Image
Content Image