Arsenal fans will be eagerly watching as Declan Rice races to regain fitness for Sunday’s Premier League showdown against Chelsea. The star midfielder was absent from the Arsenal squad that traveled to Italy for their Champions League clash against Inter Milan, set for Wednesday night at the iconic San Siro. Arsenal, who are currently unbeaten in their Champions League campaign with two wins and a draw, will instead be captained by Bukayo Saka for this high-stakes match.
Manager Mikel Arteta shared updates on Rice’s condition in a pre-match press conference, revealing that the injury stemmed from Arsenal’s recent game against Newcastle. “Declan unfortunately picked up an injury in the last match,” Arteta explained. “He finished the game, but he hasn’t been feeling right these past few days. We’ll assess him on Thursday to determine if he’s ready for Chelsea.”
In brighter news for Arsenal, captain Martin Odegaard, who has been out with an ankle injury since September, might make his long-awaited return to the pitch. After training with the squad on Tuesday, he joined the team in their journey to Milan, bringing a potential boost to Arteta’s lineup. Although Arteta is cautious about his minutes on the field, he expressed enthusiasm, saying, “It’s great to have him back.”
Arsenal face Inter Milan, who are looking to defend their home ground, with Inter boss Simone Inzaghi emphasizing the importance of possession. Acknowledging Arsenal’s impressive form and tactical strengths, Inzaghi commented, “We know that we are facing one of the best teams in Europe, a team that has consistently challenged Manchester City in the English Premier League.”
The Gunners, seven points behind Liverpool in the Premier League title race, are determined to continue their strong Champions League run. Fans will be eager to see if Odegaard’s comeback and Rice’s possible recovery will make an impact as Arsenal’s intense schedule rolls on with both Champions League and Premier League action.
Key Takeaways:
- Declan Rice is racing to be fit for Arsenal’s clash with Chelsea after missing the Champions League game with Inter Milan.
- Bukayo Saka will captain Arsenal against Inter Milan in Rice’s absence.
- Martin Odegaard may return from his ankle injury against Inter, giving Arsenal a midfield boost.
- Arsenal remain unbeaten in their Champions League campaign this season.
Stay tuned for all the updates on Arsenal’s lineup and performance as they tackle top European competition!