Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed that a persistent knee injury forced the omission of Declan Rice from the matchday squad for Tuesday’s pivotal Premier League clash against Aston Villa. The influential England midfielder sustained a significant blow to his knee during the early stages of the Gunners’ 2-1 victory over Brighton last Saturday.
Despite completing the full 90 minutes while filling in as an emergency right-back, Rice experienced substantial swelling in the joint afterward, which ultimately prevented him from participating in the top-of-the-table showdown at the Emirates Stadium.
Arteta explained that the rapid turnaround between fixtures made it impossible for the 26-year-old to pass a late fitness test. The coaching staff opted for a cautious approach to avoid aggravating the problem, especially given the intense physical demands of the festive schedule. Arsenal currently leads the league, but they face a stern test against an Aston Villa side arriving on an 11-game winning streak across all competitions.
“Declan got a big kick in his knee at the start of the [Brighton] match. The game was too early for him to be able to consider,” Arteta said. “Short-term? We think so. We’re hopeful when the swelling comes down and he can start to function, he will be fine.”
In the absence of their record signing, the Gunners have reshuffled their engine room, deploying a central trio featuring club captain Martin Ødegaard alongside summer arrivals Martín Zubimendi and Mikel Merino. The tactical adjustment coincides with a welcome boost in defense, as Jurriën Timber returns to the starting eleven to occupy the right-back position.
While the club remains optimistic about Rice’s availability for the upcoming New Year’s Day fixtures, his absence on Tuesday presents a significant hurdle for Arteta as he navigates a mounting injury list that also includes Riccardo Calafiori and Ben White.
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