Arsenal will be without Declan Rice for their crucial Champions League clash against Inter Milan on Wednesday night. The England international has been a pivotal figure in the Gunners’ start to the season but did not travel with the squad to Italy.
Rice played the full 90 minutes in Arsenal’s 1-0 defeat to Newcastle on Saturday but missed training on Tuesday.
While the exact reason for his absence remains undisclosed, it’s a significant setback for Arteta’s side. The £105 million man has been a vital component of Arsenal’s midfield, providing both defensive stability and thrust, while his set-piece deliveries have been a potent weapon.
In Rice’s absence, Mikel Arteta may opt for a midfield pairing of Thomas Partey and Mikel Merino or could even start Jorginho to anchor the midfield. The Italian international has been a dependable presence in the squad and could provide the necessary experience and composure in the absence of Rice.
Meanwhile, there’s a glimmer of hope on the injury front, with captain Martin Odegaard returning to training and travelling with the squad.
Odegaard, who has been sidelined since September with an ankle injury, could return against Inter. His creativity and playmaking ability would be a massive boost for Arsenal, especially in a high-stakes Champions League match.
However, Arsenal will still be without defenders Riccardo Calafiori, Takehiro Tomiyasu, and Kieran Tierney due to injury. Calafiori and Tomiyasu are sidelined with knee injuries, while Tierney is recovering from a thigh issue.
The absence of these key defenders could pose challenges for Arsenal, especially against a strong Inter Milan side.
Despite these setbacks, Arsenal are in a strong position in the Champions League, having gone unbeaten in the group stage so far.
They have already secured victories over Paris Saint-Germain and Shakhtar Donetsk, alongside a scoreless draw with Atalanta, which sees them level on seven points with Inter. Another victory over the Serie A giants would be a major step towards securing a direct qualification spot for the round of 16.
