Declan Rice was not pictured in Arsenal training on Monday after featuring at right-back against Brighton
Ryan Taylor
15:50, 30 Dec 2025Updated 15:57, 30 Dec 2025
Declan Rice
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Declan Rice is expected to miss Arsenal's match against Aston Villa
Declan Rice is a major fitness doubt for Arsenal's crunch Premier League matchup against Aston Villa. The England international was not pictured in training on Monday, sparking fears he may have picked up an injury issue.
As first reported by The Athletic, it's understood Rice picked up a knee problem during his impressive shift as makeshift right-back in the 2-1 victory over Brighton.
And while Rice was pictured arriving with the Arsenal squad at their team hotel on Tuesday afternoon, it's probable he will not be risked tonight against Villa.
Arsenal are already nursing a number of separate injury issues and there are already huge doubts over the availability of key defenders Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori.
Timber was spotted arriving with the squad too, however, it's not yet conclusive whether the Dutchman will be ready to feature.
Meanwhile, Rice is not thought to have picked up a serious injury, there is concern it would represent a risk to play him against Villa despite the importance of the contest.
Declan Rice
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Declan Rice picked up a knee issue in Arsenal's 2-1 win over Brighton(Image: (Bradley Collyer/PA Wire))
Left-back Calafiori was set to start against Brighton but he felt discomfort in the warmup and withdrew from the starting XI.
There is some good news though because Ben White, absent since straining his hamstring in the 2-1 win over Wolves earlier this month, was too pictured arriving with the squad at their hotel this afternoon.
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If White is ready to be part of the matchday squad, it would certainly be welcomed as he's only spent two-and-a-half weeks on the sidelines.
Initially, the former Brighton defender had been projected to miss at least four weeks of action.
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