Arsenal are considering whether Declan Rice can play through the pain after tests showed he had a broken toe, sources have told ESPN.
Rice suffered the injury during Arsenal’s Premier League defeat to Newcastle last weekend and subsequently missed their midweek 1-0 Champions League defeat at Inter Milan.
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Mikel Arteta’s side travel to Chelsea on Sunday and a source has told ESPN that Rice is hopeful he can resolve the issue and start at Stamford Bridge in a match of huge importance for Arsenal.
The team from North London is seven points behind leaders Liverpool and five points behind defending champion Manchester City. Another defeat – which would be their fourth in seven games in all competitions – would be a damaging blow to their title hopes.
Rice has also been included in Lee Carsley’s latest England squad for the upcoming UEFA Nations League matches against Greece and Ireland.
It remains to be seen whether Rice will actually join the group at St George’s Park, but the source told ESPN that the 25-year-old is keen to continue representing club and country if his body allows it.