Arteta upbeat, Rice misses training
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta described the club’s upcoming Champions League tie as their biggest chance in about six and a half years, but Declan Rice did not take part in the latest training session ahead of the matchup. The combination—strong managerial framing plus a key player’s absence—is shaping pre‑match conversation. ( )
Mikel Arteta said Arsenal are one win from a Champions League semi-final, but Declan Rice missed training on Tuesday before the second leg against Sporting Clube de Portugal. (arsenal.com) Arteta said Rice “wasn't available to train” and that Arsenal would wait until Wednesday morning before making a decision on him. He also said “maybe one” of Bukayo Saka or Jurrien Timber could return for the match. (arsenal.com) Sky Sports reported Rice is a doubt after appearing to land awkwardly against Bournemouth, and said Martin Odegaard, Riccardo Calafiori, Saka and Timber also missed the open training session. Arsenal lead the tie 1-0 on aggregate after Kai Havertz scored the winner in Lisbon on April 7. (skysports.com, arsenal.com) The second leg is at Emirates Stadium on Wednesday, April 15, with kickoff set for 21:00 Central European Time, according to Union of European Football Associations fixtures. The winner advances to the semi-finals later this month. (uefa.com) Arteta framed the moment as part of a longer climb. He said Arsenal are in the quarter-finals for a third straight season after reaching the last eight two years ago and the semi-finals last year. (arsenal.com, uefa.com) Union of European Football Associations’ team guide said Arsenal have improved in Europe over the past three seasons and are chasing the club’s first European Cup or Champions League title. Arteta told reporters the club is trying to do something “that hasn't been done in the history of the club in 140 years.” (uefa.com, arsenal.com) Rice’s status matters because he has been central to Arsenal’s run in this competition. Arsenal’s official match report on March 17 said Rice scored in the 2-0 second-leg win over Bayer Leverkusen that sent the club into the quarter-finals 3-1 on aggregate. (arsenal.com) Sporting still arrive with the tie alive at 1-0, and Union of European Football Associations lists Viktor Gyokeres among Arsenal’s key attacking threats this season. Arteta’s message to the crowd was simpler: “No fear. Pure fire.” (uefa.com, arsenal.com) By Wednesday morning, Arsenal should know whether Rice can turn Arteta’s urgency into a full-strength push for the semi-finals. For now, the manager’s confidence and the midfielder’s absence are the two facts hanging over the tie. (arsenal.com, skysports.com)
