Arteta delivers Rice and Calafiori injury updates ahead of Bournemouth

Mikel Arteta has delivered a cautious update on Declan Rice ahead of Arsenal’s trip to Bournemouth, with the midfielder’s knee swelling yet to subside as the squad prepares for its first match of 2026.

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Arsenal travel south on Saturday knowing a win would take them seven points clear of Manchester City, who play on Sunday, but Arteta said Rice remains a doubt after missing the midweek game against Villa.

Asked whether the swelling in Rice’s knee had gone down following the knock he sustained against Brighton, Arteta said: “Not yet, we have another session today, let’s see how he comes today.”

Arteta also rejected any suggestion that Rice should have been withdrawn earlier in the Brighton match after taking the kick that later led to the swelling.

“No, no, no,” he said. “He managed to do it [finish the game]. That’s normal sometimes. You get a hit, and throughout the game you are able with adrenaline, and because you are warm, you are able to sustain that.

“And then the body reacts, and it reacted probably more than we expected, unfortunately. And that’s where we are.”

Arteta then confirmed that Riccardo Calafiori will not return after missing the Villa match, while Cristhian Mosquera remains sidelined and is not expected back until the middle of the month.

On Calafiori and Mosquera, Arteta said: “They are both out.” It’s still not clear what Calafiori’s issue is.

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Max Dowman is also unavailable and is not expected back until February after suffering an ankle injury in a behind closed doors friendly against Manchester United, which was organised to build minutes for players returning from injury.

Arsenal head into the Bournemouth fixture mindful of recent meetings between the sides. Bournemouth completed a league double over Arsenal last season, including a 2-0 win in this exact fixture, but Arsenal have failed to score in only one of their 16 Premier League matches against them and their defence is much more solid this time around.

In addition, Bournemouth are winless in their last 10 league games, their longest run without a victory in a top-flight campaign, and have lost 12 of their 13 Premier League matches against teams starting the day top of the table.

In contrast, Arsenal have lost their opening league game in just one of the last 10 calendar years, and Arteta’s side will look to extend that record despite the uncertainty around Rice’s availability.

The referee in charge, however, might have something to say about that.