Declan Rice Injury Update
Declan Rice has downplayed fears over his late knock against Brentford, telling reporters he feels “fine” and expects to be available for Arsenal’s upcoming Premier League trip to Aston Villa this weekend. The scare came when he signalled an issue with his right calf and was substituted in the closing stages of the 2–0 win, which instantly triggered that familiar ripple of panic among Arsenal fans who’ve watched key players drop like flies this season. Prime Odegaard (@caarafc) shared on X that Declan Rice says he's "fine" with no injury concerns after the Brentford game.
Yet within hours, the tone shifted from “oh no, not Rice as well” to cautious optimism, as he walked through the mixed zone without a limp, chatted to TV staff, and made it clear he expected to be involved in the next game rather than facing a spell on the sidelines.
From the club side, Mikel Arteta has kept things deliberately careful, admitting Arsenal will leave the final call on Rice and centre‑back Cristhian Mosquera until after their last training session before the early kick‑off at Villa Park, but strongly hinting there’s no serious damage in the midfielder’s case. Arsenal Team (@_ArsenalTeam) shared on X that Declan Rice provided a positive update after last night’s win over Brentford, confirming to Sky Sports, “I’m fine,” with no injury concerns ahead of Saturday’s trip to Aston Villa. A huge relief for Arsenal.
Arteta’s main message has actually been less about this one incident and more about the schedule in general: he’s pointed out that Rice has been playing huge minutes in a run where Arsenal had to go again just three days after their previous match, and he’s openly called for more recovery time for players at this level.
For supporters, that probably rings true; Rice’s “injury” feels more like a red‑flag reminder of how much ground he covers every week than a classic muscle tear, and it underlines why rotation and squad depth matter if Arsenal want him fully fit for the title run‑in.
In practical terms, the latest updates going into the Aston Villa clash are simple: Rice is expected to be in contention, with club staff viewing the calf issue as minor, but his workload will be monitored closely and any hint of discomfort could see him managed more cautiously over the festive period.
The bigger headache for Arteta actually lies elsewhere, with Mosquera’s knee/ankle problem described as “more complicated,” while other defenders like Gabriel and William Saliba are already working their way back from separate injuries, forcing some juggling at the back even if Rice is good to go in midfield.
Disclaimer
All Declan Rice injury update details are based on publicly available match reports and post-game comments and may change as new medical assessments are completed. This article is for general information only and should not be treated as official club communication or medical advice. Always check Arsenal’s official channels for final confirmation.
