Arsenal Faces Uncertainty Over Declan Rice's Availability for Champions League Quarter-Final

Arsenal's preparations for their Champions League quarter-final against Sporting CP have been dealt a blow, as midfielder Declan Rice is uncertain to play due to an injury. Rice missed training on Tuesday, and manager Mikel Arteta has stated that a decision on his availability will be made on Wednesday morning. The news comes at a crucial time for Arsenal, who are also set to face Manchester City in a pivotal Premier League match on Sunday. Arteta expressed concern over Rice's injury, citing the midfielder's heavy workload as a contributing factor. The Gunners are already missing several key players, including Jurrien Timber, Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, and Riccardo Calafiori, and Rice's potential absence would further exacerbate their selection woes. With limited options available to replace Rice, Arteta may be forced to experiment with his lineup, potentially opting for Christian Norgaard or Kai Havertz in midfield. The injury concerns have added to the pressure on Arsenal ahead of their Champions League quarter-final, with the club seeking to overcome a 1-0 aggregate lead and advance to the semi-finals.