Mikel Arteta confirms Arsenal star is doubtful to face Chelsea

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has acknowledged that midfielder Declan Rice is doubtful for the upcoming Premier League derby against Chelsea on the road.

The England international suffered a broken toe in the defeat to Newcastle United last weekend and he was subsequently absent for the Champions League trip to Inter Milan.

Rice has yet to return to team training with the Gunners and when pressed about his availability, Arteta said that there is no clarity whether he will be fit to face the Blues on Sunday.

He said: "I have to be very vague on that one because there’s no clarity on whether he’s going to be fit for the weekend."

The Gunners are already seven points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool and they face a must-win situation at Stamford Bridge to stay in the title pursuit.

In the worst case scenario, they could go into the international break with a 10-point deficit to the Reds which could pretty much end their prospects of winning the title.