Arsenal suffer Declan Rice Injury Blow? Mikel Arteta reveals Latest Update ahead of Sporting CP Clashnewsline24

Arsenal are potentially without Declan Rice at least for the upcoming Champions League match against Sporting CP after the midfielder didn’t train on Tuesday.

Arsenal face mounting injury concerns ahead of their crucial UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg against Sporting CP on Wednesday, at the Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners hold a slender 1-0 aggregate lead from the first leg in Lisbon, where Kai Havertz scored a dramatic stoppage-time winner. However, Mikel Arteta’s squad is stretched thin as several key players missed open training on Tuesday.

Declan Rice, the influential midfielder who has been a rock for Arsenal this season, was absent from the session. Arteta confirmed they will monitor Rice’s condition on Wednesday morning before deciding his availability.

Joining Rice on the sidelines for training were Bukayo Saka, Martin Ødegaard, Jurrien Timber, and Riccardo Calafiori. Saka, still recovering from a muscle problem, remains a major doubt, though Arteta hinted a slim chance for one or two players to recover in time. Ødegaard has been dealing with discomfort, while Timber and Calafiori continue to manage their respective muscle and knock issues.

“Yes, we have to wait till tomorrow morning to see how the boys are, and we have to make the right decision with them,” Arteta said.

The Gunners boss also refused to comment on Declan’s issue but confirmed the midfielder was unable to train on Tuesday.

“I don’t want to do that. We have to wait and see how he is tomorrow. Obviously, he wasn’t unable to train,” he added.

These absences come at a critical juncture. Arsenal are battling on multiple fronts, including a pivotal Premier League clash against Manchester City this weekend. The squad depth has been tested repeatedly, with Arteta previously noting the need to manage player workload better after a series of setbacks.Fans will be anxiously awaiting Wednesday’s update. A fully fit Rice and Saka could prove decisive in securing a semi-final spot, but the current situation adds significant tension to an already high-stakes tie.