Declan Rice has praised Arsenal’s win over West Ham United, despite being forced off the pitch through a possible injury. The Gunners came away 2-0 victors at the Emirates after the midfielder opened the scoring against his former side.
The England international was back in Mikel Arteta’s starting lineup after being rested in the Champions League. Afforded some license to go forward following Martin Odegaard’s injury, Rice was in the box at the right time to capitalise upon a rebound and fired Arsenal into the lead.
But Rice did not emerge from the win unscathed as he had to come off the pitch in the latter stages of the game. By that point, the north London team had already doubled their lead as Bukayo Saka scored from the penalty spot after a foul on Jurrien Timber by El Hadji Malick Diouf.
After 78 minutes Rice sat down on the turf and clutched his back as Arteta faced losing another star to injury. The 26-year-old was quickly substituted for Mikel Merino and supporters will hope that it was nothing more than an impact injury.
Rice was captured moving freely at full-time when applauding the Arsenal fans, and on social media, the Gunners ace appeared focused on the three points after going top of the League.
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“Important win going into the break,” Rice said, accompanied by an image of him celebrating his goal. Later, on his Instagram story, Rice added: “See you after the break.”
England fans will hope that does not mean he has been ruled out of Thomas Tuchel’s squad, and that Rice is simply talking to Arsenal in the latter message.
Following the game, Arteta suggested that Rice would need to be assessed. The Spaniard did not seek to allay any fears.
“Well, he’s not alright because he asked me to come off, so that’s a shame,” Arteta said in his press conference. “So, he had pain in his back and he could not carry on, which is something very unusual for Declan, so we’ll have to assess him and see how he is.”
Arsenal will make the short trip to Craven Cottage to face Fulham, on their return to Premier League action in two weeks’ time. They will welcome Atletico Madrid to north London just days afterwards.
First, if Rice is deemed fit enough, England have clashes against Wales and Latvia to contend with. Those of an Arsenal persuasion will pray he returns unscathed.
Arteta has already spoken with Three Lions boss Tuchel about managing Bukayo Saka’s fitness. “We’re always talking, Thomas and I,” he revealed.
“We’re always in very fluent communication, both ways. First of all, from my side, to give him feedback on where each of the players are, and after, when they’ve been in camp as well, to reflect and learn how everything has gone. So I’m sure we’ll do that, and so far it’s been very fluent and very positive communication.”
