Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is optimistic that Declan Rice, who missed the Champions League game against Club Brugge, will be back for Saturday’s Premier League game against Wolves. Rice was recovering from a calf problem suffered in the win over Brentford, but was deemed fit enough to play in the 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa. He was left behind on the trip to Belgium after missing practice earlier in the week and did not participate in Wednesday night’s victory.
Mikel Merino deputized in midfield and formed a partnership in the heart of the team with Martin Zvimendi and Martin Odegaard. However, Arteta remains cautiously optimistic about the England midfielder’s availability for the match against Wolves. “Let’s check on him today. He was sick,” Arteta revealed. “Usually within a few days, but let’s see.”
Rice is not the only injury concern for Arsenal heading into the weekend, with five defenders potentially missing. Julian Timber was abruptly withdrawn from his midweek performance after picking up a bruise against Villa.
The former Ajax player traveled to Belgium but was left out of the match-day squad as his availability for Saturday night was unclear. “It depends on how he feels today,” Arteta said. “It was a knock that he picked up, so it wasn’t comfortable.”
Timber’s absence has added to Arteta’s defensive concerns, with doubts surrounding William Saliba’s fitness. The France international has been sidelined since sustaining the injury before the draw with Chelsea last month.
Arteta had previously suggested he was “a few days” away from returning, but he missed the last two games. “We’ll have to wait and see. He didn’t train yesterday,” Arteta said of Saliba. “We have one more day, so let’s see if he’s free.”
Leandro Trossard was also ruled out of the victory in Belgium after aggravating a persistent calf problem. Speaking ahead of Wednesday night, Arteta explained: “Leo has been knocked again where he had problems and I don’t expect him to last long, but unfortunately he won’t be here.”
“Again, it’s a matter of a few days,” Arteta said when asked if the Belgian would feature against Wolves.
One player who is definitely ruled out for this weekend is Max Dauman. The 15-year-old injured his ankle ligaments during a private friendly against Manchester United last week.
The duration of the youngster’s absence remains unclear, but he was replaced by Gabriel Jesus in Arsenal’s Champions League side this week. Arteta confirmed: “Unfortunately, Max picked up an injury last weekend and had to be out of the squad.After testing, he will be out for a week.”
In other news, Gabriel Magalhães remains sidelined after sustaining an adductor injury during international duty. Cristian Mosquera faces a long-term sideline until next year due to a “complicated” ankle problem.
No specific return date has been set for this summer’s deal, but reports suggest he could be out for six to eight weeks. “Unfortunately he will be out for a few weeks, which is much more than we expected,” Arteta admitted. “But the player was feeling it and will be out for a few weeks.”
Meanwhile, forward Kai Havertz continues to rehabilitate himself from a knee injury sustained in August. In early December, Arteta said the German’s return was just “a few weeks” away.
