Declan Rice injury latest as Arsenal brace for nightmare triple Chelsea scenario

Declan Rice remains a doubt for Arsenal’s visit to Chelsea on Sunday having not trained all week due to a knock picked up in last weekend’s 1-0 defeat to Newcastle United.

The midfielder faces a late fitness test ahead of the trip to Stamford Bridge, having sat out Wednesday’s 1-0 defeat to Inter Milan. The 25-year-old has played in every Premier League game he has been available for this season.

Despite his injury concern, Rice has been named in Lee Carsley’s final England squad for the upcoming Nations League fixtures. Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta says he cannot guarantee the player’s fitness ahead of this weekend’s clash with Chelsea.

“I have to be very vague on that one because there’s no clarity if he (Rice) is going to be fit on the weekend,” he said on Friday. “He hasn’t trained yet and it’s not clear if he’ll be able to play.”

Meanwhile, a report from The Telegraph claims Rice has actually broken his toe. It suggests he is prepared to play through pain to feature for Arsenal and England in the next week, though.

The playmaker was apparently unable to put a boot on his injured foot this week, casting doubt over whether he will be fit enough to play on Sunday. Arsenal have two other injury concerns.

Mikel Merino was forced off at half-time with a head knock against Inter on Wednesday and has felt uneasy in the days since, albeit did not suffer concussion. Meanwhile, Kai Havertz sustained a cut to the face late on at the San Siro and will be assessed ahead of kick-off.

As for Chelsea, Cole Palmer faces a late call on his inclusion having spent the week recovering from a hefty challenge from Lisandro Martinez in last Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Manchester United. Jadon Sancho is the only other concern, having missed the clash at Old Trafford with a knock.

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