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 although manager Mikel Arteta is hopeful he can recover in time, any absence would be a significant setback for the team.
Arsenal is already without several key players, including Jurrien Timber, Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, and Riccardo Calafiori, and the potential loss of Rice would further weaken their squad. With a crucial Premier League match against Manchester City looming on Sunday, Arsenal's injury woes have come at an inopportune time.
Arteta has expressed concern over Rice's condition, citing the midfielder's heavy workload as a contributing factor. The manager is waiting to assess the player's fitness before making a decision on his availability. Meanwhile, other injured players, such as Saka, are progressing in their recovery, with Arteta hopeful that Saka will return to action soon. The club's injury concerns have raised questions about their ability to cope with the demands of their upcoming fixtures, including the Champions League quarter-final and the high-stakes Premier League match against Manchester City.