Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta downplayed concerns about midfielder Bukayo Saka's availability for the upcoming match against Chelsea, saying his absence from training was a precaution rather than an injury concern. There is no mention of Declan Rice being injured or unavailable in the article. Jurrien Timber and Jairo Riedewald are expected to be back in contention after returning to training ahead of schedule. One notable absentee is defender Jairo Mosquera, who may make way for Ezri Konsa's full debut following his summer arrival at a reported £55million.
Written by the local model on 2026-09-06,
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same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Declan Rice's availability is a concern ahead of Arsenal's match against Chelsea, despite no official reports of an injury. Rice came off in the second half of Arsenal's game against Aston Villa on Monday and was not seen training with his teammates, sparking worries among fans. However, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has downplayed concerns about Mosquera's fitness, saying it was a precautionary measure and that they will reassess him at the next session. Meanwhile, Ezri Konsa is set to make his full debut for Arsenal after joining the club on a £55million transfer in the summer.
Written for “Declan Rice Injury Fears” on 2026-09-07,
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There have been no suggestions that Rice is injured or a fitness concern ahead of the visit of the Blues, despite coming off in the second half against Aston Villa on Monday.
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Rice → come → Monday
The midfielder was pictured in training ahead of the game, but Rice was not spotted with his team-mates, and his absence has sparked concerns over his availability among fans online.
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absence → picture → fans
A list of first-team players spotted in the video include: Kepa Arrizabalaga, Riccardo Calafiori, Max Dowman, Eberechi Eze, Gabriel, Bruno Guimaraes, Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz, Piero Hincapie, Ezri Konsa, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Noni Madueke, Mikel Merino, Martin Odegaard, David Raya, Marli Salmon, Bukayo Saka, Christian Tzolis, Ben White and Martin Zubimendi.
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list → spot → Arrizabalaga
One expected absentee was Mosquera, who was withdrawn at Villa Park.
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who → expect → Park
Asked on Friday for an update on Mosquera's fitness, Arteta played down concerns.
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Arteta → ask → concerns
Arteta said: "It was more precaution than anything else.
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It → say → anything
We will have to see tomorrow in the session how he feels."
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he → have → session
Mosquera's absence paves the way for Konsa to make his full debut for the club following his £55million summer arrival.
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Konsa → pave → arrival
Jurrien Timber was tipped by Arteta to be in contention on Sunday after returning from training ahead of schedule.
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Timber → tip → schedule
The defender yet to feature this season after undergoing minor surgery over the summer, and was not expected to return until later in September.
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defender → feature → September
And it appears that Sunday’s game has come too soon after also seemingly being absent from the pre-match walk with the first-team squad.
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game → appear → squad
