Declan Rice injury: Mikel Arteta confirms Arsenal latest ahead of blockbuster Chelsea clash | OneFootball

Gunners head to Stamford Bridge on Sunday in dire need of a win

Rice missed Arsenal’s 1-0 defeat to Inter Milan on Wednesday night due to a broken toe.

The midfielder played 90 minutes in the game before that, as Arsenal lost 1-0 at Newcastle, but he was unable to put his boot on after the match.

Speaking on Friday, Gunners boss Mikel Arteta said: “I have to be very vague on that one because there’s no clarity if he’s going to be fit or not on the weekend.

“What I can say is he hasn’t trained yet and it’s not clear if he’ll be available or not to play.”

Kai Havertz was forced off for the final few moments of Arsenal’s loss to Inter at San Siro on Wednesday.

The German was competing for a cross when he clashed heads with defender Yann Bisseck.

Havertz was forced to leave the field with blood pouring from his head and Arteta said after the game he required stitches.

The striker has, though, been named in the Germany squad for their Nations League games against Bosnia & Herzegovina and Hungary later this month.

Arsenal have been boosted by the return of captain Martin Odegaard, who made his comeback on Wednesday against Inter.

Before that, the midfielder had not played for Arsenal since August after injuring his ankle while playing for Norway.

“Everybody in the squad will be fit and available to start the game. So then it will be a decision on whether it’s too early or whether it’s the right moment to start the game,” said Arteta.