Arteta has been handed a huge boost
Arsenal Football Newsletter
The midfielder missed the midweek win over Aston Villa after taking a blow to his knee in the previous match against Brighton that resulted in swelling.
Ahead of the squad training on Friday afternoon, Arteta was asked whether that swelling had now gone down.
"Well not yet," the Arsenal boss said.
“We have another session today, let's see how he comes today and how that's feeling. It was too early [against Villa] for him."
Rice was spotted with the Arsenal squad on their pre-match walk on Saturday morning and does indeed replace Mikel Merino in midfield.
Cristhian Mosquera remains out with an ankle injury, while Riccardo Calafiori has not played since the Carabao Cup win over Crystal Palace and remains unavailable.
Gabriel and Jurrien Timber were both fit to start last time out against Villa, but had to come off in the closing stages after tiring.
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Both make it back into the XI today.
While Gabriel partners Saliba once again, Piero Hincapie continues at left-back to deputise for Calafiori.
Up front, Kai Havertz misses out entirely with his load being managed, meaning Viktor Gyokeres leads the line.
Leandro Trossard has been Arsenal's most impressive attacker, but he is dropped to the bench - alongisde Bukayo Saka - in favour of Gabriel Martinelli and Noni Madueke.
Starting Arsenal XI (4-3-3): Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie; Zubimendi, Rice, Odegaard; Madueke, Martinelli, Gyokeres
Subs: Arrizabalaga, White, Lewis-Skelly, Norgaard, Merino, Eze, Saka, Jesus, Trossard
Injured: Mosquera, Calafiori, Dowman
Time and date: 5:30pm GMT today, Saturday, January 3, 2026
Venue: Vitality Stadium
How to watch: Sky Sports