Declan Rice is expected to miss Arsenal's crucial Premier League clash with Aston Villa on Tuesday evening due to a suspected knee injury
16:28, 30 Dec 2025Updated 16:30, 30 Dec 2025
Declan Rice
View 2 Images
Declan Rice picked up the issue in Arsenal's 2-1 win vs Brighton(Image: Getty Images)
Declan Rice is set to sit out Arsenal's crucial Premier League showdown with Aston Villa after picking up a suspected knee problem.
The England star sustained the knock during the midweek clash against Brighton but managed to see out the entire 90 minutes in the Gunners' 2-1 triumph. However, it seems Rice has now felt the full effects of the injury and is anticipated to miss Tuesday night's crunch match at the Emirates, according to The Athletic.
The midfielder's problem is believed to be a short-term concern with optimism that he'll be back in action sooner rather than later, but Arsenal have opted not to gamble with his fitness against Villa.
Declan Rice
View 2 Images
Declan Rice looks set to be ruled out vs Aston Villa(Image: Getty Images)
His unavailability couldn't have come at a worse moment for Mikel Arteta's troops, who are already battling a defensive crisis. Riccardo Calafiori continues to be ruled out for the Gunners after pulling out of the Brighton squad during the warm-up phase.
Defensive colleagues Ben White and Jurrien Timber are both still on the mend, though the duo are fighting for selection. Cristhian Mosquera, Kai Havertz and Max Dowman all remain confined to the treatment room, reports the Mirror.
Discussing his team's growing injury list, Arsenal manager Arteta revealed: "Yes, because as well there are injuries with Jurrien, he landed awkwardly and there's something with Richy as well, very, very strange.
"But you speak to Declan and tell him he needs to play there as a right winger and he said, OK, I'm up for the challenge, I'm going to do my best, and the attitude is great to witness."
He continued: "No, it's something that we have prepared because we know that it can happen [Calafiori's injury]. When I give the line-up, I always tell the boys and the day before is, be ready because this is football, this is the Premier League and anything can happen.
"Somebody can get a bug and an hour later he cannot play and you have to be in the right mental frame to be able to perform immediately and don't go through that disappointment and that's what the players are doing."
Whilst Arsenal have their own issues to contend with, the same could certainly be said of Villa. Both Matty Cash and Boubacar Kamara are sidelined through suspension.
Arsenal could potentially stretch their advantage at the summit to five points over Manchester City with victory. However, a Villa triumph would see the two clubs finish the day level on points.
Article continues below
City are not in action until New Year's Day, with Pep Guardiola's team facing a journey to newly-promoted Sunderland.