Arsenal's Declan Rice a doubt for London derby against Chelsea: Mikel Arteta

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is uncertain if Declan Rice will play against Chelsea due to a toe injury. The midfielder missed Arsenal's recent matches, raising concerns ahead of the London derby.

In Short

• Arteta revealed that Rice didn't train with the team yet
• Arsenal's recent setbacks include losses to Newcastle and Inter Milan
• Arteta remains confident in team's trajectory despite being fifth in the Premier League

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is uncertain if defensive midfielder Declan Rice will be fit for Sunday’s London derby against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Arteta refrained from commenting on Rice’s injury, but British reports suggest the 25-year-old England international has a broken toe, though he is still expected to be in contention for the Chelsea clash.

Rice sustained the injury during Arsenal’s 1-0 Premier League loss to Newcastle United last weekend, a match that dropped Arsenal to fifth place in the league with 18 points from 10 games. Following that, Rice missed Arsenal’s Champions League fixture at Inter Milan on Wednesday, which they also lost 1-0.

"I have to be very vague on that one because there is no clarity, if he is going to be fit or not for the weekend. He hasn't trained yet and it is not clear yet whether he is going to be available," Arteta told reporters on Friday, as quoted by Reuters.

Arteta also did not reveal if Martin Odegaard, Arsenal's captain, will start on Sunday. The Norwegian midfielder, also 25, returned as a substitute against Inter after a two-month absence due to an ankle injury.

"Everybody that is in the squad will be fit and available to start the game. Then it is a decision to see if it is too early," Arteta said, before discussing the availability of forward Kai Havertz and midfielder Mikel Merino.

"(We have to) wait to see how they react. Kai's was quite a nasty cut. Mikel wasn't feeling great and we decided to substitute him at halftime (against Inter)."

Arsenal’s defeat to Newcastle leaves them seven points adrift of Premier League leaders Liverpool and five points behind second-placed Manchester City. Meanwhile, Chelsea are fourth, level on 18 points with Arsenal but ahead on goal difference.

Despite recent setbacks, Arteta remains confident in his team’s trajectory, stating that no “reset” is needed heading into the derby.

"I don't think about that," Arteta said when asked if another loss would mean the end of their title bid.

"Nobody works harder than me, I guarantee you that. We don't need a reset. In one particular aspect we need to go from 95 to 100. I will not tell you what that is.

"It will not require 100 points this season. It will require perfection to keep winning."

Arsenal and Chelsea will face off at the Stamford Bridge on November 10, Sunday.