Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka injury update ahead of Arsenal vs Sporting

Saka and Rice were among those who missed training on Tuesday (Picture: Getty Images)

Mikel Arteta has confirmed Declan Rice has joined Arsenal ’s list of injury doubts ahead of their Champions League showdown with Sporting CP.

The England international played the full 90 minutes away in Lisbon last week and again in Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to Bournemouth in the Premier League .

But the midfielder was among the clutch of Arsenal stars to Tuesday morning’s training session ahead of the visit of the Portuguese giants.

Arsenal lead 1-0 at the halfway point in their quarter-final tie ahead of the return leg in north London on Wednesday night.

Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Arteta confirmed he is still waiting to learn if a host of names will be ready with a season-defining clash with Manchester City also waiting this weekend.

Speaking at his press conference on Tuesday, Arteta refused disclosed any details over Rice’s absence, suggesting the club will make a late decision on his fitness.

Asked for details on Rice’s issue, Arteta said: ‘I don’t want to do that. We will have to wait and see in the morning.’

Rice was one of five players not seen in training this morning.

Timber has been sidelined with a groin problem (Picture: Getty)

Bukayo Saka has not played in Arsenal’s three games since the end of the international break. While Arteta had hoped to have him back last Saturday against Bournemouth, the winger did not recover in time.

Jurrien Timber meanwhile has missed the last five games, not featuring since the mid-March victory over Everton.

‘we have to wait till tomorrow morning to see how some of the boys are.’

When asked if Timber or Saka could be back, Arteta added: ‘Maybe one of them, let’s see.’

Martin Odegaard has had an injury-hit start to 2026, missing 12 games through muscle and knee problems. The Norway international was back in the starting XI against Southampton and Sporting but was sidelined again lats week.

Odegaard missed the game against Bournemouth (Picture: Getty)