"He can’t play." Mikel Arteta comments on Declan Rice’s condition

Arsenal defeated Brentford 2–0 in the latest Premier League round, but late in the match Declan Rice picked up an injury. After the final whistle, Arteta offered an update on his condition.

Details: According to the Spanish manager, Rice had to leave the pitch because, while he could still walk, he was no longer able to play football. Arteta added that the team desperately needs more time for recovery and rest, given the brutally congested schedule.

Quote: "Declan Rice had to come off… he can walk, but he cannot play. He’s logged a huge amount of minutes, but when? We play on Wednesday night and then we’re back on the pitch again Saturday morning. It would be great if we were given a bit more time to recover," Arteta said.

Arsenal’s next match is set for Saturday, December 6, against Aston Villa, kicking off at 13:30 CET. The Gunners remain top of the Premier League table with 33 points after 14 rounds, holding a five-point lead over second place.

Reminder: Late in the first half, Mosquera suffered an injury and was forced off, leaving Arteta’s side without a single fully fit centre-back.