Arsenal are sweating on the fitness of Declan Rice as they prepare for their Premier League clash against Bournemouth this evening.
The Gunners midfielder missed the midweek victory over Aston Villa on Tuesday – the first time he has sat out of a league game all season.
Rice took a kick to the knee during the win over Brighton last weekend with swelling still a problem midweek, ensuring he wasn’t considered for the visit of Unai Emery’s side.
It is thought to be a short-term issue with hope the swelling will have gone down in time for kick-off at the Vitality Stadium.
A decision was to be made on Rice’s availability after Friday’s final training session.
Mikel Arteta is able to call upon his first choice pairing at centre-half for the first time since November with Gabriel Magalhaes returning in imperious form midweek.
William Saliba and Jurrien Timber are expected to keep their places in the side but the game today comes too soon for Riccardo Calafiori.
The Italy international has missed his side’s last two games after picking up a knock in the warm-up ahead of the Brighton game.
He will sit out of today’s game with Cristhian Mosquera also still unavailable.
Overall, Arsenal’s injury concerns have eased considerably in recent weeks with Max Dowman their only other absentee. Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus are both available again, leaving Arteta with a big decision to make up front.
Viktor Gyokeres continues to labour up top and one could even argue he could now be fourth choice up front with Mikel Merino proving just how effective he in that role again this season.
Havertz may be viewed as Arteta’s first-choice option given the considerable faith he has placed in the German over the years but after his performance off the bench against Villa, a start for Jesus would certainly be one on merit.
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Arsenal XI to face Bournemouth – Metro prediction
Plenty will hinge on Rice’s availability but given how confidently his side swept aside Villa in his absence, Arteta might be tempted to give the midfielder more time to rest and recover with a huge midweek clash with Liverpool looming next week.
Who starts up front will be a big call. Gyokeres has done little to justify another start with Havertz and Jesus both waiting in the wings.
Bournemouth vs Arsenal TV channel, kick-off time and live stream
Bournemouth vs Arsenal kicks off at 5:30pm on Saturday 3 January.
You can watch the match live on Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Main Event with streaming also available through the Sky Go app and NOW TV for subscribers.