Mikel Arteta Provides Worrying Declan Rice Injury Update

Arsenal Left Sweating Over Declan Rice After Anfield Absence

When the teamsheets were announced at Anfield on Sunday afternoon, Arsenal fans were quick to spot a gaping hole in Mikel Arteta’s midfield setup. Declan Rice—one of the Gunners’ most consistent and resilient performers all season—was nowhere to be seen. Not in the starting XI, not on the bench. The initial hope was rest or rotation. But the reality turned out to be more concerning.

Speaking after Arsenal’s dramatic 2-2 comeback against Liverpool, Mikel Arteta offered a grim assessment of Declan Rice’s condition. “He’s struggling,” the manager admitted. “It does not look good.” In footballing terms, that’s the kind of phrase that sends shivers down a fanbase’s spine.

Rice, ever the engine room of this Arsenal side since his summer switch from West Ham, had started every single one of Arsenal’s last 19 games in all competitions. He’s been a warrior in the heart of the midfield, absorbing pressure, distributing intelligently, and offering vital defensive cover. So for him to not even make the squad at such a crucial point in the season? It’s a big, big deal.

Declan Rice Injury Update: “He Couldn’t Even Train”

Declan Rice isn’t Arsenal’s only injury concern / Sports Press Photo/GettyImages

Before kick-off, Mikel Arteta had been cryptic in his pre-match interviews. No specific diagnosis, no timeline, just a telling phrase: “He couldn’t even train.” That, in itself, was enough to raise alarm bells. Post-match, the manager was a little more candid, admitting Declan Rice’s condition was serious enough to potentially keep him out of the remaining fixtures.

And what terrible timing it is. Arsenal, still in the fight for the Premier League title and eyeing a strong finish in Europe, are entering the most decisive stage of their season. Missing Declan Rice now is like removing the spine from a body—it impacts every movement, every decision, and every tactical plan.

It’s not just Declan Rice, either.

Arsenal’s Injury Crisis Deepens: Timber, Trossard & More in Doubt

Mikel Arteta also revealed that Jurrien Timber, who was included in the matchday squad for the first time in months, was never actually close to being fit. “With Jurrien, we brought him to see if he was better but it was clear that he was not fit to play,” Mikel Arteta stated. It felt more like a symbolic selection than a practical one—perhaps just to lift spirits.

As if that weren’t enough, Leandro Trossard—who has been quietly effective in attack and a key contributor during key moments—limped off clutching his hamstring in the 78th minute. No official update has been given yet, but hamstring issues at this stage of the season are rarely minor.

There’s also the ongoing absence of Jorginho, who’s battling a lung-related issue and hasn’t been available for selection in recent weeks. And now, adding salt to the wound, Mikel Merino—filling in as an emergency midfielder in Declan Rice’s absence—was shown a second yellow card for a reckless challenge and will now miss the next match due to suspension.

So that’s Declan Rice, Merino, Trossard, Timber, and Jorginho all potentially out. Five key names. One massive game on the horizon.

Looking Ahead: Newcastle Looms as Arsenal Face Selection Dilemma

Next weekend, Arsenal host third-placed Newcastle United at the Emirates. It’s a fixture that could define the tone of the final sprint in the Premier League. A win keeps momentum alive. A slip-up, and the season’s hard work could unravel quickly.

But with such a depleted squad, Mikel Arteta’s selection headaches are very real.

There’s faint hope that Kai Havertz could return in time. The German international, who’s shown flashes of brilliance since moving to North London, has been inching closer to full fitness. “If everything goes the way it’s going at the moment and the way it’s planned, I think he will have a chance to play a few games here in the season,” Mikel Arteta had hinted earlier this month.

But that still leaves a midfield vacuum. One potential solution? Moving Oleksandr Zinchenko into midfield. It wouldn’t be the first time—the Ukrainian has played there for club and country before—but doing so would leave the left flank vulnerable unless Kieran Tierney is fit enough to deputise.

Arteta may also be forced to gamble with youth. Ethan Nwaneri, the 18-year-old talent who has drawn rave reviews from the academy setup, could find himself thrust into the spotlight. It’s a lot to ask from a teenager, but Arsenal’s circumstances might not leave room for safer choices.

Mikel Arteta’s Midfield Puzzle: A Tactical Rebuild on the Fly

Arteta isn’t just facing an injury crisis—he’s dealing with a complete midfield reshuffle on the fly. Declan Rice has been central to nearly every tactical setup this season. Without him, Arsenal not only lose a defensive screen but also one of their most effective transitional players.

Mikel Merino’s suspension means that even emergency cover is gone. Jorginho’s tempo-setting experience is missing. And Trossard’s versatility is likely to be sidelined. If Havertz isn’t ready, that’s potentially three of Mikel Arteta’s first-choice central options unavailable.

That could push Mikel Arteta to turn to a more fluid front three, perhaps featuring Raheem Sterling (should he be fully fit) and Bukayo Saka either side of Gabriel Jesus. But who plays behind them? Martin Ødegaard will need help, and without Declan Rice, that help is looking scarce.

A Season That Promised So Much Now Teeters on a Knife Edge

This has been a season of progress for Arsenal, no doubt. A deeper Champions League run, greater consistency in the league, and a group of players that genuinely look like they believe in the project. Declan Rice’s arrival was a major signal of intent—and he’s delivered every bit of value since his arrival.

But football can be cruel. All the momentum, all the tactical finesse, all the squad building—it can all be undone by the brutal realities of injury and suspension. Mikel Arteta, to his credit, hasn’t made excuses. He speaks with composure and honesty, even when the news isn’t good.

His comment—“It does not look good”—wasn’t designed for drama. It was real. And that’s perhaps the most worrying part.

Final Thoughts: Arsenal Must Hold Their Nerve

The next two weeks could decide how this Arsenal side is remembered. As valiant nearly-men struck down by injuries? Or as a resilient group who found a way, even when key players fell one by one?

With Declan Rice sidelined, the answers won’t come easy. But this team, under Mikel Arteta, has shown time and again that they’re not afraid of adversity. Now, they face their biggest test yet—not in terms of opponents, but in how they respond to crisis.

Let’s see what they’re made of.