Arsenal receive boost with Declan Rice set to play against Chelsea

Arsenal have been handed a huge injury boost ahead of the Premier League clash against Chelsea on the road on Sunday.

The Gunners have had a poor run of results and they have picked up just one point from their previous three league games.

The club recently suffered a 1-0 defeat to Inter Milan in the Champions League where they were probably the better outfit.

Arsenal will travel to Stamford Bridge for Sunday’s derby against Chelsea.

The game appears a must-win for them as they are already seven points behind Liverpool, who are top of the league standings.

Ahead of the derby, BBC Sport claim that midfielder Declan Rice is set to continue playing despite suffering a broken toe.

The 25-year-old sustained the setback in the 1-0 defeat at Newcastle United and he subsequently missed the visit to San Siro.

However, there is optimism that he will be fit for the west London trip to face the Blues.

Rice was today included in Lee Carsley’s 26-man-squad for England’s Nations League games against Greece and Ireland.

This is another big hint that he is prepared to play through the pain barrier.

Manager Mikel Arteta should revert to his best midfield combination against the Blues on Sunday.

Mikel Merino has impressed with his forward runs, but he has struggled to adapt to the higher intensity of the Premier League on occasions.

The Spaniard is still adapting, having joined the Gunners after pre-season. He picked up an early season injury which further delayed his debut.

In our view, Rice and Thomas Partey are the Gunners’ best combination in the centre of the park.

Partey has often played as the holding midfielder with Rice having the freedom to press forward. We could see something similar this weekend.

Martin Odegaard returned from a long injury lay-off to make a five-minute appearance in midweek.

The Norwegian looked good with his high pressing in the short cameo and we won’t be surprised if he marks his return to the starting XI at Chelsea.