Arsenal have a number of lingering injury doubts when they take on Aston Villa in today’s early Premier League kick-off.
The Gunners restored their five point lead at the top of the table on Wednesday against Brentford but some fans watched on in horror as two more players limped off with knocks.
The biggest concern was for Declan Rice, ever-present in the team this season, with the midfielder seen clutching his calf before coming off late on in the game.
Rice told reporters he was ‘fine’ as he left the Emirates later that night but Mikel Arteta was giving little away when asked for an update on the England international on Friday.
A late decision will be made in the midfielder with Arteta stressing ‘every hour is important’ in the lead-up to kick-off.
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Cristhian Mosquera, starting alongside Piero Hincapie for the second game in a row, injured his ankle after an awkward landing at the end of the first-half.
Arteta admitted Mosquera’s injury is ‘more complicated’, requiring further tests on Friday. While the Arsenal boss is hopeful it is not serious, it leaves one of his summer signings as a major doubt today.
Arsenal are already without Gabriel Magalhaes until the end of December with William Saliba also missing his side’s last two games.
The exact nature of Saliba’s issue has not been disclosed with Arteta repeating on Friday ‘it is a matter of days’ before the defender is available again. Like Rice, a late decision will be made.
Leandro Trossard is another doubt after limping off against Bayern Munich last week with Kai Havertz still thought to be a few weeks away.
Arsenal XI to face Aston Villa – Metro prediction
Will Rice start? Arteta’s comments on Friday suggested he is a doubt but he will be given every chance to prove his fitness. Next week’s Champions League game with Club Brugge will be an ideal time to rest the midfielder.
Should Saliba and Mosquera both still be out, a reshuffle at the back will be required. Timber slotted in at centre-half against Brentford and after his fine performance against the Bees, Ben White will hope to have the chance to continue at right-back.
Viktor Gyokeres is fit again but Arteta has kept his faith in Mikel Merino who could get the nod again.
Aston Villa vs Arsenal kick-off-time, TV channel and live stream
Aston Villa vs Arsenal kicks off today (Saturday 6 December) at 12:30pm.
You can watch the match live on TNT Sports 1 with streaming also available through the Discovery+ app.
You can also follow all the action with Metro’s LIVE blog.
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