Arsenal handed Declan Rice injury boost after huge fitness scare

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·6 October 2025

The midfielder was forced off against West Ham at the weekend before joining the England squad

Injury scare: Declan Rice

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Arsenal have been handed a fitness boost after Declan Rice took part in England training on Monday.

Rice was forced to come off early on Saturday during Arsenal’s 2-0 win over West Ham due to a back injury.

The midfielder, who had earlier opened the scoring, was substituted in the 79th minute for Mikel Merino.

Arteta explained afterwards that Rice was unable to continue and that he would need to be assessed.

“He’s not all right because he asked me to come off, so that’s a shame,” Arteta said on Saturday.

“He had a pain in his back and he could not carry on which is something very unusual for Declan so we’ll have to assess him and see how he is.”

Rice was assessed by Arsenal’s medical staff on Sunday and he joined up with the England squad on Monday.

The midfielder took part in training on Monday afternoon as well, easing fears that he was struggling with a back injury.

All 24 members of the England squad participated in a recovery session, which took place on the indoor pitches at St George’s Park.