Mikel Arteta offers worrying update on Declan Rice injury

Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta warned that Declan Rice's injury "looks not very good".

The all-round midfielder was excluded from the roster and the Blues drew 2-2 at home on Sunday afternoon. Before the game, Arteta did not provide a definite diagnosis on Rice's problem, although he did reveal that the England international "can't even train". Rice is one of the most durable players in Arsenal. Even in the Premier League, Arteta's massive rotations clearly prioritized the Champions League, the former West Ham captain has been a reliable member of the starting lineup. Until Sunday.

"I think he's struggling," Arteta admitted when asked about Rice's latest situation after his team reversed a two-goal trail at Anfield. "It doesn't look very good." Rice started in Arsenal's previous 19 games and then joined several teammates in an increasingly crowded treatment room.

right back Julian Timber was selected to the roster this weekend, but as Arteta later revealed, he had no chance to play. "For Julian, we'll take him to see if he's better, but it's obvious that he's not suitable for playing," the Spanish coach clarified after the game. Leandro Trosad got no updates, limping away with 12 minutes left with him covering his hamstrings.

Arteta's starting considerations against Newcastle United next weekend are complicated by Mikel Merino's red card. The converted striker filled Rice's place in the midfield, and he received two blatant yellow cards before halftime, missing the penultimate game of the league this season.

There is a glimmer of hope that Arsenal will be boosted by Havertz's return. Earlier this month, Arteta teased the versatile German's quick return, revealing: "I think if everything goes as it is and plans, I think he will have a chance to play a few games here this season.

Arsenal has only two games left; next Sunday, there will be a third-ranked Newcastle before going away against relegated Southampton at the end of the season. Without Rice, Merino, Trosad or Jorginho (recovering from lung injury) Arteta may have to put Zinchenko in the midfield against Newcastle. Rahim Sterling may also be on the front line, which may include 18-year-old star Ethan Nwaneeri.