Arsenal are sweating on the fitness of Declan Rice ahead of their trip to Bournemouth, a ground where they lost last season after William Saliba was sent off
09:52, 02 Jan 2026Updated 10:14, 02 Jan 2026
Declan Rice
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Declan Rice is an injury doubt for Arsenal's trip to Bournemouth
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has issued an update on the fitness of midfielder Declan Rice ahead of his side's crucial Premier League trip to Bournemouth.The England international was forced to miss the midweek 4-1 demolition of Aston Villa due to a knee issue but the Gunners excelled in his absence.Rice picked up the problem while featuring as a makeshift right-back in the hard-fought 2-1 victory over Brighton last weekend.When asked if the swelling had started to subside, Arteta declared on Friday morning: "Not yet, we have another session, let's see how he comes today."After the triumph over Villa, video footage of Rice talking to England team-mate Morgan Rogers went viral on social media.
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During the clip, Rice appeared to tell Rogers that his knee had ballooned badly, sparking fears he could be set for a spell on the sidelines.There is still no timeframe on his return but if there's any element of risk, it's unlikely he will play against Bournemouth as Arsenal do not want the issue to worsen.
When asked whether he has any regrets that Rice, who appeared to flag around the hour mark against Brighton that he was in pain, completed the full 90 minutes, Arteta said: "No, no, no. He managed to do it. That's normal sometimes. You get a hit, and throughout the game you are able with adrenaline, and because you are warm, you are able to sustain that.
"And then the body reacts, and it reacted probably more than we expected, unfortunately. And that's where we are."
The Spaniard also confirmed that defensive duo Cristhian Mosquera and Riccardo Calafiori would both miss the game against Bournemouth.Mosquera has been absent since damaging his ankle in the 2-0 win over Brentford last month while Calafiori was initially named in the starting XI against Brighton but was forced to drop out of the team due to a fitness issue.
Gabriel Magalhaes is expected to start his second consecutive match despite being forced off against Villa with cramp during the second half.
Declan Rice
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Declan Rice missed Arsenal's win over Aston Villa with a knee injury(Image: Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Arteta has also outlined the importance of Arsenal keeping 11 players on the pitch tomorrow at Bournemouth.
Last season, William Saliba was sent off in the first half following a tussle with Cherries striker Evanilson.
Arsenal eventually lost the match 2-0 following goals from Ryan Christie and Justin Kluivert.
The Gunners travel to the South Coast looking to pull seven points clear of second-placed Manchester City.
City failed to win at Sunderland on New Years' Day, drawing 0-0 and they now prepare to face managerless Chelsea on Sunday at the Etihad Stadium.
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Arsenal also face Liverpool next Thursday before travelling to Portsmouth in the third round of the FA Cup.
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