Declan Rice Injury: Late call for Saturday

Rice (knee) is a late call for Saturday's match against Bournemouth, according to manager Mikel Arteta. "We have another session today, let's see how he comes today and how he's feeling, but [the Villa game] was too early for him," the boss said at the Sobha Realty Training Centre. Sometimes you get a hit and, throughout the game, you are able, with adrenaline and because you are warm, able to sustain that, and then the body reacts. It reacted probably more than we expected, unfortunately, and that's where we are."

Rice is going to test his legs at a training session Friday, and that will determine if the midfielder can give Saturday's match a go. However, with that said, the midfielder still appears to be doubtful, with the club being cautious about his return with a thick bill of matches ahead. If he were to miss out, Mikel Merino and Martin Zubimendi would start in the midfield in his place, potentially earning the start even if Rice is included.