'Should be okay for this weekend': Journalist says 'powerful' Arsenal player could be back from injury v Forest
Today at 02:15 PM
Arsenal will be eager to get their Premier League season back on track once the final international break of 2024 finally comes to an end.
The Gunners have had to sit on their recent poor results over the past week and a half, but with the busy festive period now on the horizon, they’ll be desperate to make amends.
Arsenal’s next Premier League game is on Saturday as they welcome high-flying Nottingham Forest in a 3pm kick-off at the Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners have had their fair share of injury issues this season, with the likes of Martin Odegaard, Mikel Merino and Riccardo Calafiori having been on the sidelines.
Declan Rice is also a doubt for the Forest game due to a toe injury which saw him miss out on a place in the England squad for their November games.
Arsenal expert Charles Watts has now provided an update on the £105million man’s fitness ahead of the meeting with Nuno Espirito Santo’s Reds.
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Declan Rice tipped to be ‘okay’ for Arsenal against Nottingham Forest
Watts, speaking on his YouTube channel on Tuesday, has claimed that Rice should actually “be okay” for the Forest match.
He believes this weekend could be the first time that Mikel Arteta has to choose between Rice, Odegaard, Merino and Thomas Partey in midfield.
Watts said: “I wanted to start on the midfield because I think it’s really interesting what Mikel Arteta may well potentially do or the options he has to pick from going into this weekend’s game.
“Now, of course a lot of this revolves around whether Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard, I suppose, but more specifically Declan Rice is fit enough to start this game.
“Didn’t finish the game against Chelsea obviously with that toe injury, didn’t play for England… but the expectation is he should be okay for this weekend, so hopefully that will be the case.”
Arteta could have positive midfield dilemma
Having Rice back this weekend would be a huge boost for Arteta, as he is a quality player who offers so much to the Gunners.
As per Joe Cole, Rice is a “strong” player who boasts “powerful running and strength”, not to mention chipping in with goals and assists.
However, Partey has arguably been Arsenal’s best midfielder this season and dropping him if he’s fully fit may be difficult.
Even if Rice is available, it would make more sense for Arteta to keep him on the bench against Forest, giving him more rest, and keep Partey in the XI while he’s in great form.
