Arsenal make Declan Rice starting XI decision for blockbuster Chelsea clash
Declan Rice is expected to play through the pain barrier for Arsenal in Sunday’s blockbuster Premier League clash with Chelsea.
Rice, 25, missed Arsenal’s 1-0 defeat to Inter Milan on Wednesday night due to a broken toe in what was a second consecutive loss for the team.
The midfielder played 90 minutes in the game before that, as Arsenal lost 1-0 at Newcastle, but he was unable to put his boot on after the match.
Rice has, however, been named in the England squad for their Nations League fixtures against Greece and the Republic of Ireland next week.
Mikel Arteta claimed at his pre-match media conference on Friday that he did not know if Rice could make the London derby at Stamford Bridge.
“What I can say is he hasn’t trained yet and it’s not clear if he’ll be available or not to play,” the manager said.
Declan Rice was sorely missed by Arsenal in midweek defeat to Inter Milan
Sources have said that Rice is pushing hard to play against Chelsea and the expectation is that he will be in the squad for the clash in west London.
The England international has an outstanding availability record since breaking into the West Ham team as an 18-year-old.
He has started 12 of Arsenal’s 14 Premier League and Champion League matches this season, with his only previous absence before Wednesday, the win at Tottenham in September, coming via suspension after being sent off against Brighton.
Rice is not the only big-name England star who’s a doubt for Sunday, with Cole Palmer’s availability also up in the air as he recovers from an injury sustained against Man United last weekend.
In other news, big Cole Palmer injury update ahead of Arsenal clash against Chelsea.
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