Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice will be given every chance to prove his fitness for Sunday’s Premier League London derby against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
The 25-year-old missed the 1-0 Champions League loss to Inter Milan in midweek with a foot injury, believed to be a broken toe, but he could play through the pain barrier to make himself available here.
Despite being handed a concern over Rice, Mikel Arteta received a massive boost in midweek with the return of Martin Odegaard from an ankle injury, even if he was only able to feature for the final few moments.
The Gunners boss must also assess Kai Havertz after his head injury in midweek, though, while Riccardo Calafiori (knee), Kieran Tierney (hamstring), Takehiro Tomiyasu (knee) and Raheem Sterling (ineligible) are all unavailable.
Arteta is hopeful that a bloodied Havertz only suffered a cut rather than a concussion on Wednesday, but if the Gunners have to follow the necessary protocols, Gabriel Jesus could get a rare opportunity up top alongside Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli.
The return of Odegaard should spell the end of Leandro Trossard‘s unsuccessful stint in midfield, while Rice will no doubt link arms with his captain and Thomas Partey if fit enough, thereby demoting Mikel Merino to the bench.
The Gunners’ rearguard is likely to remain untouched, though, as Jurrien Timber, Ben White, Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba form the barrier in front of David Raya.
Arsenal possible starting lineup:
Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber; Odegaard, Partey, Rice; Saka, Jesus, Martinelli
