Captain martin odegaard

Sobha Realty Training Centre: Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has issued a cautious update on midfielder Declan Rice ahead of their decisive second-leg clash against Sporting CP in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals to be played at Emirates Stadium on Thursday.

Rice emerged as a fresh injury concern after missing Tuesday’s open training session at the Sobha Realty Training Centre, casting doubt over his involvement in the crucial encounter at the Emirates Stadium. The England player had only recently returned to action after withdrawing from international duty against Japan, featuring in the first leg in Lisbon and captaining the side in their surprising Premier League defeat to Bournemouth.

Addressing the situation, Arteta remained non-committal about Rice’s availability, saying: “We have to wait until tomorrow morning to see how a few of the boys are and I will make the right decision with them.”