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

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

The Gunners account and insider is famous for breaking some major news about Mikel Arteta’s side and the latest updates around the Emirates Stadium club.

They are followed by the likes of Dharmesh Sheth, Charles Watts, Miguel Delaney, Fabrizio Romano and Sami Mokbel on X and have proven to be a trusted source concerning all things Arsenal.

Hand of Arsenal have now claimed this evening that Rice could be rested against Southampton and have provided updates on other injured stars.

Rice was not involved in action against Uruguay last Friday and 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 hand much-needed rests to some of his stars, but he knows he cannot afford to undermine the Saints given what is at stake.

They remain firmly in contention to win the three competitions they are still in 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 (April 7) as Arsenal take on Sporting CP in the first-leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie.

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

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.