Mikel Arteta has confirmed that Declan Rice has still not trained with Arsenal this week, casting doubt on his involvement at Chelsea.
Arsenal travel across the capital to take on Chelsea in a huge London Derby on Sunday but could be without the services of Rice. The midfielder missed the midweek defeat at Inter Milan after breaking his toe in last weekend’s 1-0 loss at Newcastle.
Rice has not yet returned to training with Arsenal, though has been named in the England squad for this month’s upcoming games with Greece and the Republic of Ireland.
Arteta said he still has ‘no clarity’ on whether the 25-year-old will be available this weekend.
“I have to be very vague on that one because there is no clarity if he is going to be fit or not for the weekend. He hasn’t trained yet and it is not clear yet whether he is going to be available,” the Spaniard said at his pre-match press conference.
Odegaard ‘fit and available to start’ at Chelsea
There was a more positive update on Martin Odegaard, who made his return from an ankle injury as a substitute at the San Siro.
Arteta confirmed the Arsenal captain is ‘fit and available to start’. However, he will make a decision on whether it is ‘too early’ for the Norwegian who has been absent since September’s international break.
“Everybody that is in the squad will be fit and available to start the game. Then it is a decision to see if it is too early.”
