Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta faces fresh selection concerns ahead of Saturday's Premier League fixture against Bournemouth, with five first-team players notably absent from the club's final training session.
Key Absences Cast Doubt on Key Players
The most significant absentee was midfielder Declan Rice, who missed Tuesday's victory over Aston Villa with a minor knee problem. Arteta revealed the issue stemmed from a kick Rice received during the win over Brighton last weekend, which caused swelling and prevented him from training.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference on Friday, January 2, 2026, Arteta remained non-committal on Rice's chances. "Not yet," he said when asked about a decision. "We have another session, let's see how he comes today and how that is feeling, but it was too early for that game (against Villa) for him."
Defensive Worries for the Gunners
Rice was not alone in missing the session, with imagery released by the club on Friday evening confirming further absences. Defender Riccardo Calafiori, who has missed the last two matches after picking up a knock in the warm-up before the Brighton game, was also not present.
Fellow defender Cristhian Mosquera continues his recovery from an ankle injury and was absent from the group. Goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga and young talent Ethan Nwaneri were the other two players not spotted in the training images shared by Arsenal.
Title Race Implications for Arsenal
The potential unavailability of key figures comes at a crucial juncture in the title race. Arsenal head into the weekend four points clear of Manchester City, who dropped points away to Sunderland on Thursday night.
A victory for Arteta's side against Bournemouth on Saturday would see them extend that lead to seven points, at least temporarily, with Manchester City not in action until they face Chelsea on Sunday afternoon. The fitness of Declan Rice, in particular, will be a major talking point as Arsenal look to maintain their advantage at the Premier League summit.
