Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta, has provided an injury update on key midfielder Declan Rice ahead of the club's Carabao Cup quarter-final against Crystal Palace. The match is set to take place on Wednesday night and fans are eagerly awaiting updates about Rice's condition.
Rice was forced off the field an hour into Arsenal's goalless draw with Everton over the weekend. This unexpected turn of events raised concerns among fans and team members alike. Alongside him, club captain Martin Odegaard was also removed in what appeared to be a surprising tactical decision by Arteta.
Arteta later revealed that Rice "was feeling something", sparking speculation about his fitness for upcoming matches. However, when questioned about the availability of the England international for Wednesday’s game against Crystal Palace, Arteta dismissed any major concerns. Declan Rice isn't the only player causing fitness worries for Arsenal ahead of their crucial cup tie against Crystal Palace.
Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta, said:
"Alex [Zinchenko] and Riccardo [Calafiori] will still be out of the squad."
Final decision pending training assessment
Despite assuring fans that Declan Rice "is fine", Arteta did not confirm whether he would be playing in Wednesday's crucial match. He stated that a final decision regarding his involvement would only be made after assessing his performance during training sessions leading up to the game.
Throughout most of his career, Rice has maintained an impressive injury record with very few incidents marring his performance. This fact adds weight to hopes that he will recover quickly from whatever discomfort he experienced during the Everton match.
Importance of the upcoming match
The upcoming Carabao Cup quarter-final is arguably one of Arsenal’s biggest games this season and it is expected that Arteta will field a strong lineup for this encounter. While there have been discussions around Arteta’s personal trophy count as former club captain, he has acknowledged that winning silverware would greatly benefit this current group of players who have twice finished as Premier League runners-up.
While there is some uncertainty surrounding Declan Rice's involvement in the upcoming Carabao Cup quarter-final, fans can take comfort in Arteta's reassurances about his condition. The final decision will be made after further assessment and training, keeping in mind the importance of this match for Arsenal.
