Fears over a lengthy layoff for Rice were heightened by the player himself. During a postmatch chat with his fellow England international Morgan Rogers, the 26-year-old was spotted relaying the details of his knee injury, gesturing effusively about the extreme nature of the swelling.

Mikel Arteta has downplayed the likelihood of Ethan Nwaneri leaving Arsenal on loan this month, insisting "every player has a role". Nwaneri came off the bench against Club Brugge in the Champions League in early December but has not played a single minute in the five matches since.

Each of Arsenal's strikers has their flaws, but having all three available could be a difference maker in the second half of the season

It is not so much that Aston Villa were necessarily better than Arsenal in the Gunners' 4-1 win on Tuesday. Their win wasn't inevitable. It certainly seemed, however, that Unai Emery had Mikel Arteta's number. Villa would absorb the strength of the first press, find a way of drawing Arsenal out of position and spring their transition threats.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta revealed that Declan Rice is “improving” after being forced out of Tuesday’s 4–1 thumping of Aston Villa with a knee injury, although he was less optimistic about the midfielder’s chances of facing Bournemouth this weekend.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta praises Gabriel Magalhaes and Declan Rice's mentality, and says Arsenal showed maturity in their 3-2 win against Bournemouth at Vitality Stadium.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has laid down the gauntlet to Eberechi Eze after seeing his minutes dry up of late. The playmaker joined the Gunners from Crystal Palace for an initial fee of £60 million ($81.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta sits down with Sky Sports News to discuss the noise surrounding his Arsenal squad in the title race and the expectations of Viktor Gyokeres since joining from Sporting; watch