Arsenal Prepares for Upcoming Match Against Bournemouth Amid Injury Concerns

Arsenal, who have established a four-point lead at the top of the Premier League table, will return to action on Saturday against Bournemouth. Following a decisive 4-1 victory over Aston Villa at the Emirates Stadium, the team is hopeful that Declan Rice will be available for selection.

Manager Mikel Arteta, however, is uncertain if the £105 million ($141 million) midfielder will be fit to play. There remains an opportunity for the 26-year-old to be considered, contingent upon him passing late medical evaluations before the game on the south coast.

When asked about the condition of Rice’s knee, which has been swollen, Arteta stated: “Not yet. We have another session today. Let’s see how he comes through and how that feels, but that game against Aston Villa was too early for him.”

Rice sustained his injury during a 2-1 win over Brighton on December 27, where he completed the full 90 minutes. Arteta reflected on whether he should have given Rice a rest in that match, saying: “No, he managed to complete the game, which is normal. Sometimes you sustain performance due to adrenaline, but unfortunately, the body reacted more than we expected, and that’s where we are.”

Following Arsenal’s impressive win over Villa, Rice was seen conversing with England teammate Morgan Rogers, reportedly expressing his frustration about his injury: “My knee is just f*cked.”

Arteta confirmed that Cristhian Mosquera and Riccardo Calafiori are still sidelined, with Rice joining them on the treatment table. Nonetheless, Arsenal’s injury concerns appear to be easing.

In November, the club faced significant fitness challenges with Martin Ødegaard, Gabriel Martinelli, Viktor Gyökeres, Noni Madueke, Gabriel Jesus, and Kai Havertz all ruled out. Arteta remarked on the team’s resilience: “That is the reality of the sport we play. However, looking back over the last three seasons, we have fewer days lost to injuries than before. If you distinguish between traumatic injuries and minor ones, we must improve, but we are better than in some previous years.”

Kai Havertz is nearing a return, along with Brazilian forward Gabriel Jesus, who has resumed scoring following his recovery from knee ligament damage. Arteta views the return of these players as akin to new signings, enhancing his options.

This may influence Arteta’s approach to the January transfer market, where he stated: “We are open to every option. If we can find a solution that is short, medium, and long-term, it provides stability and avoids the need to constantly integrate new players. Let’s see what unfolds in the coming weeks.”

Despite returning players, Arsenal may still consider strengthening their squad, as depth will be crucial while competing on multiple fronts both domestically and in Europe. After a demanding December filled with eight fixtures, the team has an additional nine matches scheduled for January.

The first of these matches will see Arsenal face Bournemouth as they aim for their first Premier League title since the famous ‘Invincibles’ of the 2003-04 season. Additionally, at the start of 2026, they will be competing in the Champions League, FA Cup, and Carabao Cup, with formidable opponents such as Liverpool, Portsmouth, Chelsea, Inter Milan, Manchester United, and Leeds on their immediate agenda.