Arsenal’s push for a strong Premier League finish has taken a significant hit, with manager Mikel Arteta admitting Declan Rice’s injury “does not look good”.
The Gunners were already reeling from a midweek Champions League heartbreak at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain and the absence of Rice – a key engine in Arsenal’s midfield – added to the growing list of concerns for Arteta. The England international, who played the full ninety minutes in Paris, failed to train in the lead-up to the Liverpool clash and was left out of the squad entirely.
“He’s struggling,” Arteta said, gesturing toward Rice’s hip. “It doesn’t look good.”
The timing couldn’t be worse. With just two league games left, Arsenal are clinging to hopes of securing second place – and possibly more – but their midfield is quickly becoming a crisis zone. Mikel Merino, who filled in and scored a crucial equaliser against Liverpool, will miss the Newcastle game after being sent off late in the match.
Leandro Trossard, who led the line in place of injured regulars, hobbled off with a suspected hamstring injury, and Jorginho remains sidelined with his own fitness issues. Even Jurrien Timber, named on the bench, was ruled out by Arteta as “not fit to play.”
With Newcastle looming next weekend and Arsenal’s depth being tested to the limit, Arteta faces a race against time to patch together a squad that can finish the season on a high. The title may be slipping from their grasp, but even securing second now feels like a battle of attrition.
