Declan Rice was not pictured in Arsenal training on Monday after featuring at right-back against Brighton
Ryan Taylor
15:50, 30 Dec 2025Updated 16:09, 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 a makeshift right-back in Saturday's narrow 2-1 victory over Brighton.
And while Rice was pictured arriving with the Arsenal squad at their team hotel in London 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 notable doubts over the availability of key defenders Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori, respectively.
Timber was spotted arriving with the squad, however, though it's not yet conclusive whether the Dutchman will be ready to feature after sitting out of last weekend's triumph over the Seagulls.
Meanwhile, Rice's knock is not thought to be a serious injury but there is concern it would represent a risk to play him against Villa despite the importance of the contest.
Italian left-back Calafiori was set to start against Brighton but he felt discomfort in the warm-up and withdrew from the starting XI.
The former Bologna starlet was replaced by Myles Lewis-Skelly, who could potentially be handed only his second start of the Premier League season this evening.
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))
There is some potential 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.
If White is ready to be part of the match-day squad, it would certainly be welcome 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 with the muscular problem but White has seemingly healed well.
Kai Havertz could also be part of his first match-day squad since the opening day of the season when Arsenal ran out 1-0 winners over Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Mikel Arteta may have to name a makeshift back-four depending on availability and he's facing a big call at the heart of defence.
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Piero Hincapie could partner William Saliba while Gabriel Magalhaes is pushing to start after making his return from the bench against Brighton.
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