Arsenal handed massive boost as Declan Rice spotted with squad ahead of Bournemouth clash | OneFootball

Positive news for Arsenal fans as Gunners bid to start 2026 with a win

Declan Rice was spotted with the Arsenal squad ahead of their Premier League clash with Bournemouth.

The injury was sustained in the victory over Brighton last weekend, thus causing the England international to sit out a Premier League fixture for the first time this season.

Mikel Arteta now has a decision to make regarding handing the midfielder an immediate recall, with Mikel Merino perhaps most at risk of dropping out of the starting lineup against the Cherries.

Ultimately, having Rice available will be a massive boost for the Gunners whose injury issues are beginning to clear even with Riccardo Calafiori, Cristhian Mosquera and youngster Max Dowman sidelined.

Boost: Declan Rice

Arsenal FC via Getty Images

Speaking ahead of the Bournemouth game, Arteta responded when asked if the swelling on Rice’s knee had gone down: "Well not yet.

“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.

“No, no, no, no, he managed to that.

“That’s normal. Sometimes you get a hit and throughout the game with adrenaline and because you are warm you are able to sustain that.

“And then the body reacts and it reacted probably more than we expected after it unfortunately. That’s where we are.”

Should Arsenal beat Bournemouth they will move seven points clear of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table.

Although that may be shortlived as Man City have the chance to respond to the Gunners’ result when they host managerless Chelsea on Sunday evening.