Arsenal dealt major blow ahead of crunch Aston Villa clash | OneFootball

Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice is reportedly likely to miss Tuesday’s massive Premier League meeting with Aston Villa through injury. 

With just three points separating the two sides in the table, it’s a must-win game for both teams.

The Gunners currently lead the way with 42 points after 18 games, but defeat at the Emirates Stadium this evening would put Villa level in the standings and give Manchester City the opportunity to leapfrog them into first place.

Mikel Arteta is already missing a number of key players for the match and may have to go without arguably his most important one.

Arsenal dealt major Rice blow ahead of Aston Villa clash

According to The Athletic, Rice is “expected” to sit out the visit of Villa after sustaining a knee injury against Brighton at the weekend.

The 26-year-old saw the game out to help Arsenal win 2-1 and “remained hopeful of being fit” enough to play in midweek, but will be sidelined in order to avoid aggravating the issue.

It’s expected that Rice’s absence will only be a “short-term” one. The north London outfit, though, are boosted by the return of Jurrien Timber.

Ben White might return from a hamstring injury, while Kai Havertz is in contention to feature after returning to training.

Riccardo Calafiori is a doubt to play due to a muscle problem, while Cristhian Mosquera and Max Dowman are both ruled out.

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