Image credit: Getty Images
Arsenal have confirmed that Declan Rice was unavailable for selection in their 2-2 Premier League draw against Liverpool due to an injury setback. Manager Mikel Arteta revealed that the England midfielder was unable to train in the lead-up to the match and was not fit to feature at Anfield.
“He and Jurrien [Timber] are not fit – Declan couldn’t even train, so he’s injured unfortunately and couldn’t make the game,” Arteta said ahead of the high-stakes clash.
In Rice’s absence, Arteta made two changes to the side that suffered a 2-1 loss to Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League semi-finals earlier in the week. Leandro Trossard was drafted into the starting XI, allowing Mikel Merino to drop into central midfield, while Ben White returned at right-back in place of Timber.
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Despite the setback, Arsenal managed to fight back from a 2-0 deficit at Anfield. Goals from Cody Gakpo and Luis Díaz put Liverpool in control in the first half, but second-half strikes from Gabriel Martinelli and Merino brought the visitors level. Merino’s evening ended early with a red card in the 79th minute, but the Gunners held firm to secure a valuable point.
Declan Rice (Image credit: Getty Images)The result leaves Arsenal in a fierce battle for second place, with Newcastle United just two points behind following their 2-0 win over Chelsea earlier in the day. Eddie Howe’s side continue to apply pressure as the season nears its climax.
Liverpool, who made six changes for the encounter—including the returns of Conor Bradley, Ibrahima Konaté, and Andy Robertson in defence—remain firmly in the title hunt. Arteta praised the Merseyside club’s consistency and fitness management throughout the campaign.
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“That’s a big thing to win trophies, you know, and they did that extremely well,” said the Arsenal boss. “They managed to maintain that consistency, that level of players, a system, a coach, a stadium that has created again, and consistently, an incredible atmosphere for them.
“You need a lot of ingredients or you don’t win the Premier League. That’s the difficulty of it, and it’s true that this season we never found that consistency because of the issues that we had. I don’t want to use it as an excuse.
“We have the best league in the world, yes? We all agree. But we were the only team from this league on the park in the semi-finals of the Champions League. That’s the level.”
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