Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice is a doubt for the Gunners’ next game against Bournemouth on Saturday.
The Gunners recorded a fantastic win against Aston Villa on Tuesday night in what was a statement win to rivals Man City. Arsenal are now five points clear at the top of the Premier League table, and hoping to keep the pressure on Pep Guardiola’s side.
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They face off against Bournemouth in their next match on Saturday afternoon. The Cherries drew to Chelsea in their last match, but could be without Antoine Semenyo for the Arsenal game, as the winger looks destined to join Man City.
However, good news for Arsenal is that Declan Rice should be available to return for Mikel Arteta in their next game against Bournemouth. He has been dealing with a knee injury, and is currently being assessed.
Arteta said: “If that swelling comes down in the next few days, he will be in a better place.” – If Rice doesn’t return for the Bournemouth game, he will likely return on January 8 against Liverpool.
Expected return date – Saturday 3 January vs Bournemouth (A)
Riccardo Calafiori
In terms of Calafiori, he missed the game against Aston Villa with a knock that he picked up after Christmas. However, it only looks to be a minor issue, so the Italian international should expect to return against Bournemouth.
He is currently being assessed by Arsenal’s medical staff, and will hope to feature against the Cherries on Saturday.
Expected return date – Saturday 3 January vs Bournemouth (A)
Cristhian Mosquera
Mosquera has been out for the majority of December, but he could expect to be available again for Arteta this weekend. Although, he will likely be on the bench anyway because Gabriel and William Saliba are both fully fit again.
However, Arteta likely won’t rush the Spanish defender back, as his ankle injury was more severe than the other injured Gunners, so he may not make an appearance until the FA Cup third round tie against Portsmouth on January 11.
Expected return date – Saturday 3 January vs Bournemouth (A)
Max Dowman
Dowman is out for much longer, as he suffered an ankle injury in early December which is set to keep him out of action for at least another month.
The 15-year-old will have been gutted at his injury because he was beginning to get a bigger and bigger role in Arteta’s squad, especially in the Champions League.
As things stand, early February seems the most likely return date for Dowman, which is a major blow, not just for him, but for Arsenal too.
Expected return date – Saturday 7 February vs Sunderland (H)