“Never a good sign” Mikel Arteta CONFIRMS that Another best player this season in Arsenal squad has suffered a injury and Will not play against Brentford tomorrow

has confirmed that Declan Rice will not be available for selection when his side take on Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium on Wednesday in the third round of the Carabao Cup.

The England international midfielder was withdrawn at half-time of the North London derby against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday due to a back discomfort.

Rice is currently undergoing tests to establish the extent of the injury, but Arsenal are confident he will not spend extended time on the sidelines.

Arteta is hoping it is not a big injury, but he has delivered an unpleasant update on the fitness of the 24-year-old ahead of their mid-week London derby.

“He hasn’t trained yet,” the Gunners boss said this afternoon.

“He could not carry on in the game.

“Hopefully it’s not something big. We are confident (it’s not big).

“He is still uncomfortable and he had to leave the pitch which is never a good sign. It’s still doubtful.”

The pain in his back reportedly intensified so much heading into Monday that it restricted his movement, and he could be unavailable for their next two games.

Arsenal are back in action after tomorrow on Saturday with a trip to the Vitality Stadium to face Bournemouth in their seventh Premier League game of the campaign before travelling to France to face RC Lens in the second Champions League group game afterwards.

They host Manchester City on October 8 and the Gunners will be praying Rice is fully fit ahead of such an important league game.

Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard are also set to miss the Brentford game and could be unavailable ahead of the trip to face the Cherries.

Saka limped off in the closing stages of the game on Sunday and has been unable to feature in training since.

Martinelli and Trossard both missed the North London derby due to hamstring injuries and could return after the Bournemouth game.

They are expected to be fit in time to face Man City, while makeshift right-back Thomas Partey is making good progress from a groin injury and also closing in on a return.

has confirmed that Declan Rice will not be available for selection when his side take on Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium on Wednesday in the third round of the Carabao Cup.

The England international midfielder was withdrawn at half-time of the North London derby against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday due to a back discomfort.

Rice is currently undergoing tests to establish the extent of the injury, but Arsenal are confident he will not spend extended time on the sidelines.

Arteta is hoping it is not a big injury, but he has delivered an unpleasant update on the fitness of the 24-year-old ahead of their mid-week London derby.

“He hasn’t trained yet,” the Gunners boss said this afternoon.

“He could not carry on in the game.

“Hopefully it’s not something big. We are confident (it’s not big).

“He is still uncomfortable and he had to leave the pitch which is never a good sign. It’s still doubtful.”

The pain in his back reportedly intensified so much heading into Monday that it restricted his movement, and he could be unavailable for their next two games.

Arsenal are back in action after tomorrow on Saturday with a trip to the Vitality Stadium to face Bournemouth in their seventh Premier League game of the campaign before travelling to France to face RC Lens in the second Champions League group game afterwards.

They host Manchester City on October 8 and the Gunners will be praying Rice is fully fit ahead of such an important league game.

Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard are also set to miss the Brentford game and could be unavailable ahead of the trip to face the Cherries.

Saka limped off in the closing stages of the game on Sunday and has been unable to feature in training since.

Martinelli and Trossard both missed the North London derby due to hamstring injuries and could return after the Bournemouth game.

They are expected to be fit in time to face Man City, while makeshift right-back Thomas Partey is making good progress from a groin injury and also closing in on a return.

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