Declan Rice injury update revealed before Arsenal play Brighton | OneFootball

Mikel Arteta is hopeful that Declan Rice will be available to face Brighton in the Premier League on Wednesday as he offered an update on the midfielder’s fitness.

The England international asked to be brought off in the 76th minute of Arsenal’s 2-1 win over Chelsea on Sunday, with Arteta confirming he would need to be “assessed” ahead of the crucial trip to Brighton.

Declan Rice has played a key role in Arsenal's title bid (Getty Images)

But Rice is doing “much better”, according to Arteta, as the Premier League leaders bid to maintain their five-point lead at the top of the table. Manchester City will host Nottingham Forest on Wednesday.

When Arteta was asked whether Rice could be available, he said: “I hope so. He was much better today. We haven't trained much as we only have two days to prepare for the game. Hopefully he's going to be better tomorrow.”

Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard face fitness checks, with Arteta confirming: “Kai, he's done a part of the session. We will wait and see if he's available and in which condition. Martin is the other where we will see.”

Arsenal scored twice from corners as they defeated Chelsea to move five points clear on Sunday, with the prevalence of set-pieces and the rise of grappling in the penalty area from corners becoming a hot topic as the Premier League builds towards the run-in.

But Arteta brushed off criticism of his team and said: “I'm upset that we don't score more from corners - and we concede them. We want to be the best and the most dominant team in every aspect of the game. That's the aim and trajectory of this team. As a club we want to be the same.”