Arsenal supporters have been left uneasy after fresh footage surfaced showing Declan Rice discussing his knee problem with Aston Villa midfielder Morgan Rogers following the Gunners’ emphatic 4–1 Premier League victory at the Emirates Stadium.
Rice was a notable absentee from the matchday squad despite being present to watch from the stands, having picked up a knee injury during Arsenal’s previous win over Brighton. The England international had been deployed unusually at right-back in that match, where the issue is believed to have occurred.
Concerns initially grew when Rice failed to appear in training images earlier in the week. Although there was optimism he might recover in time to face Villa, Mikel Arteta ultimately decided not to risk his midfield anchor.
Speaking before kick-off, Arteta explained the situation in detail:
“Declan took a really strong knock to the knee early in the Brighton game. By the end of the match, the swelling was very big. This game came too soon for him.”
The Arsenal boss suggested the injury should not be long-term but admitted the swelling had limited Rice’s ability to move freely.
“Hopefully, once the swelling goes down, he’ll be able to function properly again. At the moment, it’s about monitoring him day by day.”
Arteta also confirmed that Rice’s availability for the upcoming trip to Bournemouth remains uncertain, with a final decision expected after further assessment in the coming days.
Tunnel Footage Raises Fresh Questions
After the Villa match, a short video clip began circulating online showing Rice in conversation with Morgan Rogers as the players headed down the tunnel. In the footage, Rice gestures towards his knee while explaining the issue, leading fans to speculate about the seriousness of the injury.
Some supporters believe Rice described the knee as feeling “terrible,” though the exact words are unclear. Importantly, the midfielder did not appear to be limping, offering some reassurance amid the concern. The moment has also attracted attention due to ongoing transfer chatter surrounding Rogers and Arsenal’s long-standing admiration for young, versatile Premier League talents.
Rice Breaks Silence
Despite missing out on the action, Rice was quick to celebrate Arsenal’s dominant performance. Posting on Instagram after the match, he wrote:
“This team!!!! We keep going ❤️❤️❤️”
Arteta is expected to provide a clearer update on Rice’s condition during his pre-match press conference later this week, as Arsenal fans anxiously await news on one of their most influential players.
