Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice was absent from training on Tuesday morning, and he subsequently missed out on the squad trip to Italy later in the day.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Mikel Arteta confirmed that the decision was taken due to injury.
“Declan unfortunately has picked up an injury against Newcastle,” Arteta said. “He was able to finish the game but he wasn’t feeling good in the last few days so we have to assess him on Thursday to understand whether he will be fit or not for the weekend.”
Pressed further on Rice’s absence, Arteta revealed that the issue was with the player’s foot.
“It was a knock so it’s a problem with his foot,” Arteta confirmed. “He wasn’t comfortable with it so at the moment he’s not fit.”
The only positive update comes from Fabrizio Romano, who writes that Rice didn’t travel as a precautionary measure. Romano claims the midfielder is not expected to have any serious or long-term injury, but Arsenal didn’t want to take any risks.
As per Arteta’s comments, Romano confirmed that Rice will be assessed for the Chelsea game on Sunday.
Rice had been almost ever-present in Arteta’s team so far this season, playing every game in the Champions League and only missing one match through suspension in the Premier League.
The only other match Rice didn’t start this season was the League Cup fourth round against Preston North End.
Arsenal will now have to make do without him for a huge away game against one of Europe’s top teams in Inter Milan.
