Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice was carrying a knock before the Carabao Cup final | OneFootball

Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice was carrying a knock before the Carabao Cup final against Manchester City and was sent home on the advice of England’s medical staff.

Rice could be rested against Southampton in the FA Cup this weekend.

He was not involved iagainst Uruguay last Friday and Bukayo Saka played no part either.

The Gunners are likely to field a second-string team against Southampton in the quarter-final of the FA Cup on Saturday.

Arteta could look to rest some of his stars, but he knows he cannot afford to underestimate the Saints given what is at stake.

They remain firmly in contention to win the three competitions after the disappointment of the Carabao Cup, and victory this weekend would be huge.

Rice is expected to be available for the trip to Portugal next Tuesday as Arsenal take on Sporting CP in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie.

Several other injured Gunners stars should also be available to travel or return for their next Premier League match at home to Bournemouth on April 11.

Arteta could do with his key players ahead of the title run-in and for the business end of the campaign, and the Spaniard will be praying for more good news in the coming days.