Arteta confirms Rice injury issues
Declan Rice was absent from the Arsenal squad on Saturday evening with that no surprise after Thomas Tuchel's update and the concerning footage that emerged at Wembley of Rice gingerly walking down some stairs.
Mikel Arteta was asked about his condition last week and confirmed that he is indeed not at full fitness but remains desperate to help.
He said: "Yeah, he's been phenomenal because that's been going on for a while and the fact that he's been able to perform and consistently commit to the team in that manner.
"He talks about how much he wants to play for us and how much he wants to win, and that's great to see.”
Mikel Arteta has delivered a clear Declan Rice Arsenal injury verdict (Image: (Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images))